TUESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2022

Security Strategy against Non-state ActorsYielding Results, Says Monguno DIA seeks reappraisal of intelligence gathering methods Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd) yesterday said strategies and approaches adopted in tackling

security challenges by the military and other security agencies were yielding positive results.

He spoke as the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Maj Gen Samuel Adebayo, said continu-

ous reappraisal of strategies and operational tactics and methods of intelligence gathering and sharing would effectively deal with security challenges confronting the nation.

Monguno spoke at the opening of

the Defence Advisers and Attachés Annual Conference, organised by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja.

The week-long conference has as its theme: “Sustaining Nigeria’s

Defence and Security: Role of the Defence Attaché System.”

The NSA said the Armed Forces of Nigeria made concerted efforts to significantly address the security threats across the country.

He identified some of the threats to include insurgency and terrorism in the north-east, and secessionist agitation in the south-east and Continued on page 11

Okonjo-Iweala: Decoupling Not Answer to Climate Crisis... Page 6 Tuesday 8 November, 2022 Vol 27. No 10073. Price: N250

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PDP PCC: Why Tinubu is Running from National Debate Chuks Okocha in Abuja

L-R: Directors at Afreximbank, Stephen Kauma & Samallie Kiyingi; Chairman, ART X, Atedo Peterside; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Founder & CEO, ART X, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig; GMD, Access Corporation, Herbert Wigwe; CEO Chapel Hill Denham, Bolaji Balogun; CEO Access Bank, and Roosevelt Ogbonna, at the ART X Lagos 2022 VIP Opening Night held in Lagos…recently

The Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, yesterday, mocked the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, and his Continued on page 11

Viewers Rate Arise Presidential Town Hall High, Set Agenda for Candidates Urge others to honour invitations to address public Nigerians divided over performance of key presidential hopefuls Chuks Okocha, Emmanuel Addeh and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Sunday’s Presidential Town Hall meeting organised by Arise News Channel and other partners has received staggering feedbacks from Nigerians both home and away.

Majority of the viewers rated the first in the presidential series high, but they also set agendas for the presidential hopefuls.

The programme was aired in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy Development (CDD), The Cable, Premium Times, The Guardian, Daily Trust, Nigerian Union of Journalists, and Nigerian Guild of Editors. Many of those who watched it on Sunday night assessed each of the candidates, who showed up for the town hall series. Some of the commentaries Continued on page 5

PDP Crisis: I Won’t Support Atiku’s Presidential Bid, Says Ortom... Page33

INDOMIE HEROES RECOGNITION AWARD...

L-R: Group Corporate Communications and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Tope Ashiwaju; 2022 Indomie Heroes Award winners, Jamila Srour from Arepo, Ogun State; Chief Olamilekan Adebayo from Ibadan, Oyo State; Damaris John from Yola, Adamawa State; Chibuike Napoleon from Owerri, Imo State; Zion Yakubu Abba from Kaduna, Kaduna State and Nigerian actress and media personality, Nancy Isime, at the 2022 Indomie Heroes recognition Award in Lagos

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THE DEBATERS...

L-R: Delta State Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ifeanyi Okowa who represented Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi; Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Presidential Candidate of Peoples Redemption Party, Kola Abiola, at the Arise TV Presidential Town Hall Series held at PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI .

Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja...on Sunday

VIEWERS RATE ARISE PRESIDENTIAL TOWN HALL HIGH, SET AGENDA FOR CANDIDATES carried partisan colouration. While others tried to maintain some level of objectivity. But in all, the commentaries reflect the diversity of the people, political views and beliefs. Many of respondents claimed victories for there their candidates while faulting other candidates' performance.

Those who made it to the event were the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who was represented by his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) standard bearer, Kola Abiola.

Spokesperson of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Sulaiman Abdul-Azeez, while rating the performance of the presidential candidates, said any assessment at this point might not be sufficient considering that the major contenders, Bola Tinubu of All Progressive Congress (APC), was absent and was not represented, while Atiku did not appear in person.

However, Abdul-Azeez claimed that Okowa's submissions generally lacked depth on matters around security and the economy, stressing that he appeared to have limited grasp of the poverty level in the country, particularly, in the north.

Abdul-Azeez said, "The debate, as I view it, was significantly dominated by presidential candidates of NNPP, Kwankwaso, and LP, Obi. Obi and Kwankwaso dwelt extensively on the crucial issues of security and economy, with both admitting that the current manpower of the Nigerian military was grossly inadequate.

"Kwankwaso revealed that he has made adequate arrangements to increase the number of military officers from 250,000, which, to me, may be farfetched.”

A lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Dr. Christian Okeke, said, generally, both Obi and Kwankwaso did their best speaking on the two core areas, which formed the focus of the debate, as well as relating their experiences to their plans if elected.

Okeke said there were many things Nigerians took home from the town hall meeting.

He stated, "It is rather unfair to assess their performance based on the variables being thrown around.

Both men had diverse and peculiar experiences as former governors

and may not have similar degrees of eloquence and mental capability.

I am convinced that two of them have tangible things to offer and can deliver results if elected.

"However, Mr. Peter Obi, during the debate, showed extreme mastery of events of the past, first as it concerns his days as governor and, two, as an expert in the field of economy, going by his background in the banking sector."

On his part, a legislative consultant and public affairs commentator, Mr. Akinkoye Oyeniyi, described the town hall meeting as “kind of a reunion of PDP” members.

Oyeniyi added that the three top candidates showed they had the capacity to take on the top job.

He said Okowa performed well even as a vice presidential candidate representing his principal, and that showed how prepared PDP was this time around to do the right thing. To him, Okowa’s performance showed that he could fittingly perform his duties as vice president, while standing in for his principal as acting president, especially with his clarity of points and precision in articulation of facts.

Oyeniyi added, "Kwankwaso was a super performer yesterday (Sunday) after Okowa. Though he was hitherto rated below expectation but proved himself to be informed beyond people's expectations. I think he should be in second place."

He noted that Obi would have been the top candidate or runner-up, but his churning out of "verifiable inconsistent facts" was a terrible blow to his chances.

Spokesperson of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Dino Melaye, in his remarks, lauded the efforts put in place by Arise News, saying, “I'm proud of the set up and it came out successful.”

Melaye, however, suggested the screening of the audience to “avoid the embarrassment of yesterday” in subsequent editions.

On the performance of Okowa, Melaye insisted that the PDP presidential running mate won.

He stated, “Governor Okowa stole the debate. He spoke to issues. He demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the economy and security. He stood out far above Peter Obi of the LP and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP. I suggest that Peter Obi and Kwankwaso should get another appointment from Okowa for that erudite lecture and, probably, pay for another education.

“For instance, Peter Obi said PDP destroyed the country, but he, Peter Obi, should remember that he left the PDP just in May 20, 2020, as Okowa told Obi, he was part of the PDP. Again, Obi said he does not send any money to anybody, but Okowa reminded him that he flies private jet and Obi had no answer to Okowa throughout the debate.

“Okowa was the only person that was not faulted during the fact checks. He remains the only person that spoke to issues. The Delta State governor showed that Atiku didn't make any mistake in his choice as vice presidential candidate. He showed that the presidential ticket of the PDP is on a mission.”

Director, Strategic Communication of the Presidential Campaign of the PDP, Bashorun Dele Momodu, said the presidential town hall meeting was elucidating and a welcome idea.

Momodu stated, “One of the presidential candidates stood out.

Though he is not a presidential candidate, but he represented his principal. I'm talking about Governor Okowa. He stood out. I received many calls on his performance.

“Governor Okowa showed brilliance. He performed brilliantly. He demonstrated that Atiku Abubakar did not make a mistake in the choice of Okowa as his vice presidential running mate.

He spoke to issues and in fact, lectured some of his colleagues on the economy and security issues.

“He remained the only one, who was fact-checked and not faulted.

Okowa showed the experience he has garnered from his position as governor.”

Writing on his Facebook page, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, one of the men on the media team of the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu, said, “Governor Okowa impressed me yesterday with his performance at the Arise News Town Hall. Very measured and presidential.

“He stayed above petty politicking and didn't play to the gallery on many national, security and economic issues. He displayed what recommends him as better choice for Atiku as running mate over and above Governor Wike.”

But Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, said Obi topped the chart on issues.

Okechukwu said regarding Obi, “He convinced a lot of people that he knows our ailments. He resonates

as a candidate well-prepared with facts and figures to confront gross unemployment, poverty alleviation, and fixing our economy.

“Okowa, though acting, was second on issues. He was able to advance the manifesto of his principal. Kwankwaso was third on issues, but lacked the details to convince many.

“Abiola was more or less scratching issues on the surface.

He benefited from the town hall design; he could have been exposed if it was a public debate. But on fluency and flow of communication, Abiola came tops, followed

by Kwankwaso, Okowa and Obi in that order.”

In his assessment of the candidates, Head, Department of Mass Communication, BAZE University, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, said while Abiola lacked institutional experience, Okowa was easily irritated by criticisms, while Obi should put in more efforts to vary his ideas.

Adeniyi stated concerning the son of the late politician, Moshood Abiola, “Kola Abiola tried but was let down by the lack of institutional experience, plus the absence of rigour in contextualising issues before him. The lack of holding a meeting, which he was consistent about, isn't enough to cause insecurity, especially, in the face of no-solutions to joblessness, proliferation of light arms and small weapons, governance limitations, over-population, and much else.

“He could have done better with better preparations on practical causes and solutions to problems, in relation to unconvincing governmental responses. The good thing is that there will be a next time.”

Adeniyi added that Okowa spoke from a “gubernatorial pedestal, and officialdom”, which is not unexpected.

“He was assured, but easily irritated by criticisms of his party by peers. He might do well avoiding a closeness to personal affronts in the future,” he advised.

On Obi, Adeniyi said, “Typically, he’s voluble and self-believing and ever ready with using his acclaimed pious and Spartan features as evidence of his capacity.

He can still improve with further consultations with literatures, just so he can vary his range of ideas, and to avoid repetitions from a long campaign rhetoric.”

Analysing Kwankwaso, the lecturer said, “It was a good effort,

as a former governor, an ex-this, ex-that, with some confidence in rendition. He might, however, do well going forward if he avoids the temptation to be condescending, from looking at Kano as just his, for keeps.”

A lawyer, Mr Sam Amadi, described the town hall as a huge success. Amadi stressed that the meeting provided an opportunity for Nigerians to assess their leading candidates, their grasp of the issues, and their proposed interventions.

He said one of the high points of the event was the degree of civility and respect among the candidates, which contrasted with the vitriol and violent language of some of the supporters outside.

Another important insight from the town hall, Amadi stated, was that Nigeria had the best collection of credible and competent presidential candidates now than at any time before.

Amadi said, “Any of those on the platform will probably do a better job than President Muhammadu Buhari, because all of them have a better profile and capabilities than Buhari, when he ran in 2015. This is some good news, in the sense that we can be sure that whoever wins in February 2023 from this slate of candidates at the town hall can do the job with structural political support from the political class and civil society.

“I think that Okowa did well in terms of articulacy and grasp of policy issues that relate to governance. He looks like a very smart person. He won the trophy for the night. The only regret is that he is not the presidential candidate.

Therefore, the great performance may not rub off on Atiku Abubakar.

“Governor Kwankwaso gave a good account of himself and clearly understands his manifesto.

He has good fit with his politics of the Talakawa. One wished he had teamed up with Peter Obi to provide a bigger political disruption of Nigeria’s political landscape.

“Peter Obi didn’t wax as eloquent as expected. But he made up with authenticity. His retelling of his legacy as governor of Anambra State is always a knockout. It underlines believability, which is critical in winning the votes.

“Kola Abiola showed that he could be president. His views align with the traditional politics of the PRP. He has a few bold propositions. I was proud of him as the son of MKO Abiola. He did not disgrace that name.”

But Amadi said Nigerians did not hear about any breakthrough ideas on how to fix security and the economy. He said there were only regurgitation of old thoughts and some hazy declarations.

According to him, “The worst is that none of them could answer my question about the structural nature of Nigeria’s economic crisis and how to resolve these structural problems that aggravate the local effects of global economic cyclical booms and bursts. This failure shows that the presidential campaign councils are not effectively dealing with the rigorous policy work required for transformation, post February 2023.”

A media expert, Mr Bolaji Ogundele, argued that debates do not win elections, stating that being able to communicate publicly does not equally mean that the candidate would perform when it gets down to the actual work.

Ogundele kicked against the institutionalisation of public political debates in the run-up to elections, stressing that it would be a waste of time and resources.

He said, “Of the four personalities that appeared yesterday, I was only impressed by the outline of two of them, the two being the vice presidential candidate of the PDP and the presidential candidate of the NNPP. They were the ones, who actually touched on issues.

“They recognised the problems with Nigeria and they tended to understand what solutions will be given, but again, like I said, you might be eloquent but not efficient at solving problems.

“So, analysing issues and proffering solutions may not at the end of the day translate into being able to handle the myriad problems that Nigeria is currently going through. That's my opinion.”

In his remarks, leader of South-south Awakening Group, Joseph Ambekederemo, stressed that he was not impressed by the performance of the participants at the town hall meeting.

Ambekederemo stated that if Sunday’s event was a measure of what to expect when any of the candidates became president, then, Nigerians should not expect much in the coming years.

He stated, “I wasn’t impressed.

It was watery. The responses were not it. We have a very big problem on our hands. It didn’t show seriousness. I can’t even rate any of them. If these are the candidates we have, then, the future is bleak.”

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

AFRICA INVESTMENT FORUM...

L-R: CEO of Genesis Holdings Charles Kié; CEO of the Nigerian Exchange Group Oscar Onyema; CEO of Corporate Council on Africa of the U.S, Florizelle Liser; Vista Bank CEO, Simon Tiemtoré; Principal Researcher at the Atlantic Council and founder of Tofino Capital (moderator of the session), Aubrey Hruby ; and CEO of Africa50 Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, Vincent Le Guennou, during Africa Investment Forum: African investors asked to mobilize more for infrastructure in Africa…recently.

Okonjo-Iweala: Decoupling Not Answer to Climate Crisis Says world leaders must unite with the WTO in laying out a trade road map for a just response The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has stressed that climate change remains an existential threat to the global economy, adding that decoupling was not the answer to climate crisis.

In an article she penned in the Financial Times of London, yesterday, ahead of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference holding in Egypt, Okonjo-Iweala pointed out that if climate change was left unabated, “we will see more scenes of desolation like in Pakistan, where recent flooding left a third of the country under water and put food and economic security at risk.”

According to her, “tackling this

crisis is an inescapably global issue requiring urgent and bold leadership.”

The former Nigeria’s Finance Minister noted that, “despite forces threatening to pull apart the world community, we simply cannot fragment, decouple economies and create separate trade blocs.

“At the COP27 UN climate summit this week, I will ask leaders to join forces in creating a trade-related agenda for a just and ambitious response to climate change.

“The message is clear: the multilateral trading system has much to contribute. But this cannot be delivered without co-operation between countries.”

She recalled that at the WTO’s Ministerial Conference in June, nations on opposite sides of deep divisions were able to come together and agree on several trade issues. Most notably, WTO members agreed to curb harmful fisheries subsidies that led to over-exploitation of our oceans, she added.

“This agreement demonstrated that multilateral co-operation is possible when emphasis is placed on saving our global commons.

It must stay that way.

“Last year’s COP produced serious reflection on the trade community’s contribution to the climate transition. This year, the 2022 World Trade Report on trade

and climate change confirms that the cost and disruption inflicted by climate shocks on global commerce are high and rising.

“For example, the increasing heat pattern in the Horn of Africa has caused crop damage and profound food insecurity. Similarly, low water levels in major rivers are making it difficult to ship goods, from the Danube to the Yangtze and beyond.

“Ramped-up financing will also be indispensable to a successful response to climate change.

Developing countries need the long-promised $100 billion of annual climate financing to ensure a just transition to a clean energy future. But even this will not be sufficient,” she said.

IMF Outlines Priority Areas to Boost Africa's Economic Growth Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has outlined four priority areas of focus for policymakers in Nigeria and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to boost economic growth in the medium to long term in the face of the worsening global crisis and declining growth projections.

Speaking during a webinar yesterday with the theme, ‘Living on the Edge: IMF Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa,’ which was hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in collaboration with the IMF, the Fund's Head, Regional Studies Unit, African Department, Luc Eyraud highlighted the priority areas to strike a balance.

According to him, policymakers must address food insecurity, consolidate public finances, manage the shift in monetary policies and accelerate sustainable and greener growth.

He said: “Policies implemented in an emergency including untargeted, costly and distortionary fiscal support measures should be gradually phased out, and countries need to strike a delicate balance in conducting monetary policy to address the rise in inflation and resist exchange rate pressures without undermining recovery.”

Eyraud explained that growth in the region was expected to decline from 4.7 per cent in 2021 to 3.6 per cent in 2022, reflecting the global economic slowdown, rise in global inflation and other crisis.

Commenting on inflation and food insecurity, he observed that 80 per cent of countries in the region adopted temporary and mostly untargeted measures in response to food and fuel price shocks.

He stressed that half of the accelerated inflation was driven by food which represents 40 per cent of the consumption basket.

Eyraud regretted that the rapid rise in global inflation, fueled by an increase in energy and essential food prices, had put the squeeze on most households in the region and impacted hardest those who are most vulnerable.

Besides, he pointed out that 19 out of the region’s 35 lowincome countries were either in debt distress or have high risk of debt distress, adding that countries are now moving very close to the edge of buffers.

He advised that, "the limited policy space with limited room to error and decisions must often strike a delicate balance between competing demands."

“Policies implemented in an emergency including untargeted, costly and distortionary fiscal support measures should be gradually phased out, and countries need to strike a delicate balance in conducting monetary policy to address the rise in inflation and resist exchange rate pressures without undermining recovery,” he said.

On public finance, Eyraud noted the growing debt profile of countries in the region in the

face of increasing financing costs, explaining that there was a need for countries to stabilise their debt below 70 per cent of GDP. “It is important to ensure effective and transparent public debt management while maintaining credible and clearly articulated medium-term fiscal frameworks, countries must consolidate public finance by boosting revenue mobilisation, prioritising and increasing the efficiency of public spending where possible,” he said.

Eyraud also noted that SSA accounts for two to three per cent of global CO2 emissions, and needs between $30 billion and $50 billion annually to finance climate adaptation, adding that international support would be critical to financing climate adaptation needed for resilient growth.

According to him, “high-quality growth will require investment in resilient green infrastructure to capitalise on the region’s sizable endowment of renewable energy resources leveraging private sector innovation, activity and finance.”

The Deputy Director, IMF African Department, Cathy Pattillo, in her remarks said the region was experiencing significant problems ranging from high public debt to the impact of the concurrent crisis, and double-digit inflation among other issues.

Pattillo added that solutions such as political stability, supportive global environment and help form the international community which was employed in the late

1990s were no longer obtainable.

She said, “The reality is that most countries are teeming with these imbalances and they’re going to have to live with them, and more countries are going to find themselves in a kind of grey zone and there’s going to be extreme uncertainty, as vulnerabilities and imbalances are going to stay high and it’s going to be difficult to calibrate."

According to Okonjo-Iweala, to meet the challenge of moving to net zero emissions by mid-century, there was need for open and predictable global markets to ensure access to technologies at affordable prices.

“Expanded trade will also promote sustainable global food systems and resilient supply chains.

Fragmentation and decoupling would do just the opposite.

“The sustainability benefits of an open trading system are clear.

In fact, about 40 per cent of the sharp decline in the price of solar panel systems since 2001 was made possible due to scale economies generated by international trade, competition and global supply chains. “By lowering tariff and regulatory barriers to trade in environmental goods and services, we can further drive costs down and accelerate even broader clean energy deployment.

“Likewise, the potential for exports expands the incentives for private companies to invest in renewable power innovation and all of the other cleantech breakthroughs needed to shift the global economy on to a sustainable trajectory.

“We must trigger a virtuous circle of expanding green trade, investment and innovation. The International Energy Agency estimates that the shift to clean energy could generate 14 million new jobs in renewable power and

energy efficiency and 16 million in related sectors globally by 2030.

“Finally, I call on leaders to join the WTO in laying out a trade road map for a just and ambitious global response to climate change.

Building on work that is already under way, we envision a menu of trade actions for countries to draw upon when revising their national climate targets (or nationally determined contributions) — in line with their different levels of development.”

She added: “The menu might include concrete actions to help facilitate trade in environmental goods and services, put a price on greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonise supply chains and make them more resilient to climate shocks, scale up circular business models and promote secure and sustainable food systems.

“At the WTO, we can transform our Aid-for-Trade initiative into a programme that expands opportunities for sustainable trade, especially in places that have not seen the full benefits of international commerce.

“COP27 offers an opportunity for us all to commit to a unified response to climate change and to bring the power of the trading system behind the global efforts to reduce emissions and deliver sustainable livelihoods.

“In the face of the overarching threats posed to the human species, I see no other path forward.”

CBAAC Confers Benin Monarch ‘Most Outstanding Traditional Ruler’ Award Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has conferred the 'most outstanding traditional ruler on Arts and Culture' in Nigeria award on the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II. The 2022 prestigious award would be formally be conferred on the monarch in December, at the 45th anniversary of the Second Festival of Black Arts and Culture (FESTAC) and the Benin cultural heritage Benin warrior Queen Idia mask, which was unanimously adopted as the official emblem of 'FESTAC 77'.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Oba, Oguobaro Osaigbovo, in a statement in Benin City, disclosed that Director-General of CBAAC, Oluwabunmi Ayobami Amao gave

the hint when she paid a courtesy visit to the Oba in Benin City, Edo State.

Amao, explained that CBAAC, is a federal government agency and the sole custodian of all the materials and other cultural collections used during the second world FESTAC hosted in Lagos, Nigeria in 1977.

The Director-General said the agency carefully followed the track record of Oba Ewuare whose impact was not only felt in Nigeria, but internationally in upholding the values and tradition of the Benin Kingdom over the years.

Amao cited the immersed role of His Majesty's overall protection, preservation and promotion of African Culture as the reason for the recognition.

Accordingly, "I wish to inform your Majesty of your recognition by the Centre for the honour.”

Continuing, Amao said, "In recognition of the traditional of the Benin traditional institution and as the birthplace of the emblem of 'FESTAC, 77'; we are here to seek your Majesty's support and prayers for the overall success of the programme".

Members of the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria will attend the event which would feature cultural parade, arts craft antiquity exhibition, dance performances and Poetry, according to the DirectorGeneral .

In his response, Oba Ewuare commended the federal government for the recognition.

Oba Ewuare who as a direct descendant of Queen India N' Iyesigie, pledged his support to the Centre and promised to continue to build on the legacies of his forebears.

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NEWS

TÊTE-À-TÊTE...

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, and former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during a meeting in Abuja… recently

Looming Epidemic: FG, WHO Begin Training of 350 Health Emergency Responders 1,427,370 persons displaced by flood with 18,093 suspected cholera cases Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja In view of the emerging threats of disease outbreak from flood disaster, Nigeria and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have commenced training of about 350 rapid response medical personnel to deal with any health emergency.

The launch of the training programme came just as WHO stated that flooding situation in the country had become overwhelming with 3,219,780 affected persons, 1,427,370 displaced persons, 2,776 injured, 612 deaths, 305,407 houses damaged.

It also said 18,093 suspected cholera cases have been reported in 256 Local Government Areas of 31 states as at November 2, 2022.

In a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the capacity building programme for rapid response team to deal with possible infectious disease outbreak, Representative of WHO in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Molumbo said the plan was to provide national and subnational Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) with the key knowledge and tools needed to detect and effectively respond to public health emergencies as they occur.

"WHO is expected that at least 350 Nigerian Core Responders are trained and ready to deploy within the first 24 hours of an emergency," he said.

While highlighting the importance of the initiative with the

theme: “Capacity Building, Learning and Training to On-Board the AVoHC SURGE Team, the WHO Representative said preparation and early rapid execution of outbreak response strategies are critical in detecting, containing, and mitigating the spread of potentially dangerous infectious diseases.

He said enhancing global health security (GHS) required holistic and coordinated sustained national and sub-national actions to ensure a faster and more equitable response.

According to Molumbo, emergencies, disasters, and other crises were increasing in number and magnitude daily in Nigeria, affecting thousands of vulnerable and unprotected people.

"The situation is not promising to improve soon. As of 2nd November 2022, 18,093 suspected cholera cases have been reported in 256 Local Government Areas of 31 states (CFR 2.6 percent). About a 41 percent decrease in the number of new suspected Cholera cases observed compared to the previous two weeks, where 3,990 suspected cases were recorded "Currently, the flooding situation has become overwhelming with 3,219,780 affected persons, 1,427,370 displaced persons, 2,776 injured, 612 deaths, 305,407 houses damaged, 176,852 hectares of partially damaged farmlands and 392,399 completely flooded damaged farmlands in 35 States as of 24th October 2022,” he said.

Mulombo said the ability to

deliver an early and effective response required government and institutions to be prepared collaboratively for new outbreaks, adding they must be ready to respond, "nationally, sub-nationally and locally before an attack becomes an epidemic or pandemic."

He stated that the main objectives of the SURGE training was to train and prepare a workforce

that could be called upon when needed – drawn not only from the WHO but mainly from the States, civil society, and volunteers In addition, he said the purpose of the SURGE was to provide surge support to countries that must rapidly mitigate crises.

Speaking further on the need for such an intervention, Molumbo said the Nigeria health emergency

context was now more challenging, rapidly changing, and chaotic, and that most times, response operations were in insecure environments.

He also said inadequacies in emergency preparedness leads to slow and poor response in decision-making.

"SURGE training will complement better structures to enable national authorities to mobilise

The Future Group (TFG), a civil society organisation has called for a halt in the proposed sale of five of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs), describing the proposed sale as a bad move that could further plunge the nation's power sector into a deeper crisis with attendant injury to the economy and the citizens.

TFG also called on the federal government to relieve the Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprise (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh, of his job for allegedly conniving with other unscrupulous elements to defraud Nigerians of their

commonwealth.

The group in a widely-circulated petition, titled, "Stop Okoh …Save Nigeria", signed by its Chairman, Mr. Patrick Philip, equally called for immediate sack and prosecution of Okoh, on account of the pending case of contempt of court over the sales of Aluminum Smelting Company of Nigeria (ASCON) Ikot Abasi.

The petition was addressed to the National Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Presidency, the Judiciary, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)

Continues online

NEP: REA Extends Power Supply to 5m Nigerians Through 995,000 Solar Systems Connections Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), through the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), a private sector driven federal government initiative, has ‘electrified’ over 5 million Nigerians, Managing Director of the agency, Salihijo Ahmad, has said.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, Salihijo, who was flanked by the erstwhile Head, Project Management Unit (PMU) of the REA, Anita Otubu, stated that 995,396 Solar Home Systems (SHS) had been deployed, with the achievement of 1.021 million connections.

In the process, under the NEP programme alone , he said, 1,151 persons were employed while 67 mini-grids were completed.

A breakdown of the figures,

Salihijo said, showed that 328,765 female-headed households were electrified, while 249,193 tonnes of carbon emissions were saved from being unleashed into the environment.

In addition, the REA boss noted that 52MW total PV capacity was deployed, seven Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts nwere signed while 26 containerised solar systems were deployed in hospitals.

Furthermore, Ahmad stressed that the whole 36 states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) benefitted from the projects.

The NEP seeks to bridge the energy access deficit by providing electricity to households, small businesses, educational and healthcare facilities in unserved and underserved rural communities

through the deployment of minigrids, SHS, captive power plants and productive use appliances to ensure sustainability of these off-grid solutions.

To support the implementation of the NEP, the federal government, through the REA, had successfully secured financing from both the World Bank ($350 million) and the African Development Bank ($200 million).

Stressing that the figure being quoted as ‘unelectrified’ for the country could still be as high as 80 million, Ahmad stated that while before now, the REA was waiting solely for government funding, it has now devised new means of financing power projects.

However, he stated that if that government strategy continued for 100 years, nothing much will be achieved, stressing that as an

Group Kicks against Proposed Sale of NIPPs, Demands Sack, Prosecution of BPE DG Peter Uzoho

human resources and supplies once emergencies are declared quickly.

"There is a need for better structures to quickly mobilise human resources and supplies at all all-levels once emergencies are declared, which COVID-19 has exposed and intensified," he said.

among others.

"We wish to call on the EFCC to revisit case no: ID/1432/C/2015, filed at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on the 25th of April, 2015 by the EFCC, between the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Bolanle Babalakin, Alex Okoh, Stabilini Vision Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited; bothering on fraudulent retention of proceeds from a criminal conduct.

"We understand attempts allegedly have been made in the past to stifle the case. We urge you to please proceed with the prosecution of this case, in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. The interest

of our country supersedes any other interests and therefore must be upheld at all times", TFG said.

The group drew the attention of the federal government and the general public to the perceived dangers of the sales and allowing Okoh to continue to oversee BPE, which is in charge of the proposed sales, alleging that he has interest in the entire saga.

The TFG noted that the NIPP was established in 2004, stating that the programme was an intervention that aimed to improve government funding in the critically ailing electricity sector.

Eighteen years past the project's launch, the petitioners contended

that there were contending conversations surrounding the federal government’s proposed sale of five NIPPs. “Insufficient electricity supply has always been an issue in Nigeria, inhibiting the development of the country’s industries and overall economic growth.

“In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration launched the NIPP to address the challenge of power generation specifically.

The project’s objectives also included curtailing the immoderate gas flaring from oil exploration," the group stated.

Continues online

agency, the REA has moved on to become a hub and enabler to ensure that funding comes from multiple sources.

According to him, some programmes were also designed for the private sector to be able to take advantage of the sector including the capital subsidy, where the public and private sectors collaborate, and which has become an international standard in the sector.

Ahmad added that this gave birth to the NEP, where two international development partners came in through a multilateral debt of $550 million to support electrification through the private sector.

He explained that the programme was designed in such a manner that delivery of infrastructure is solely based on the performance of the private sector, which will come in and identify needs but are not paid till they complete the project and run it for three months.

He stressed that the provision of power remains a viable business in Nigeria, noting that the REA has begun the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and had done a thorough technical evaluation of its projects.

Also speaking, Otubu stated that $64.8 million has been disbursed so far while commitments has climbed to about $392 million, with more outcomes expected further to sealing more agreements.

Outside the NEF, Otubu said there are other specific projects designed for special purposes including electricity for agriculture, healthcare, energising the economy, the schools and others.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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'INSURANCE INDUSTRY AWARDS AND CONSUMERS’ NITE’...

L-R: Commissioner of Insurance, National Insurance Commission, Ghana, Dr. Justice Ofori; Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc., Mr. Wole Oshin; Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission, Mr Olorundare Thomas; and a former Secretary General, African Insurance Organisation, Ms Prisca Soares, during the 2022 edition of the ‘Insurance Industry Awards and Consumers’ nite’ powered by Almond Productions Limited in Lagos recently

ASUU Half Salaries: Gbajabiamila Appeals for Calm, Says Buhari Will Intervene Soon To convene national summit Udora Orizu in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has urged the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to remain calm in view of their latest outcry over the reported half payment of their salaries by the federal government.

In a statement he personally signed in Abuja, yesterday, Gbajabiamila noted that efforts to find

lasting solutions to the concerns frequently raised by ASUU were on, saying President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated interest to wade into the matter.

He noted that the position taken by the Executive that it was not obligated to pay salaries to lecturers for the time spent on strike was premised on the law and the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial

actions.

The Speaker while restating his commitment to providing sustainable reforms to the Nigerian tertiary education system, noted that the challenges facing Nigerian tertiary education were multifaceted hence the need for all stakeholders to come together and proffer solutions.

He added that a national tertiary education summit would be convened during which stakeholders would come up with ways to make

things better in the sector.

He said, "When ASUU called off their industrial action three weeks ago, it meant that academic activities could resume in our nation’s public universities, and students could return to their academic pursuits after the prolonged interruption.

This decision was rightly heralded nationwide as the correct decision.

“Since then, the Executive and the House of Representatives have worked to address the issues that

led to the strike. We are currently working on the 2023 Appropriations Bill, which includes N170 billion to provide a level of increment in the welfare package of university lecturers.

“The bill also includes additional N300 billion revitalisation funds to improve the infrastructure and operations of federal universities.

"Nonetheless, interventions have been made to explore the possibility of partial payments

FG to Resume Abuja- Kaduna Rail Service This Month Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government yesterday disclosed that the Abuja- Kaduna train service would resume operation this month.

The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo, disclosed this during the PMB’s Administration Scorecard 2015-2023 organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The services were suspended on March 28, 2022, after terrorists bombed the rail track, killed some passengers and abducted several others.

The minister urged the passengers enjoying the train service to start warming up, saying the security agencies have taken measures to secure the route.

“In this month of November, we shall resume that rail service.

Remember I told reporters from the State House that we will not resume the service until every Nigerian held in captivity was reunited with their families.

“That has been made possible by security agencies and the leadership of Mr. President and it is now history. Not one of them was injured or harmed. People, enjoying that service should start warming up,” Sambo said.

He described the bombing of the railway in Katari, Kaduna State, where eight passengers were killed, and 62 persons abducted as a very sad one.

He assured that the country shall not witness that type of mishap again because the federal government had learned hard lessons that would be put in

use and taken deliberate steps to ensure constant surveillance of the track.

“There will constant surveillance –24/7 and round the clock. The minister should be able to see in his office and look at the rail corridor to see what is happening there. My President will be able to do that, the DG DSS should be able to do that.

“These are the measures we are going to put in place. No more again will they shave our hair behind our back,” he said.

He also denounced the insinuation that the federal government has a deliberate agenda to restrict the South-east to the narrow gauge insisting whatever the country will derive from standard gauge will also benefit from the narrow gauge.

He noted that the only fundamental difference between the narrow gauge and standard gauge was the speed as the narrow gauge goes about 100km per hour while the other goes 120- 140 per hour.

He added that Dala Inland Port in Kano was about 70 per cent completed and has been linked to the rail lines, while following a presidential directive, the litigation delaying the dredging of Calabar Port was being resolved to pave way for the dredging to begin.

In his opening remarks, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed flayed the opposition for bandying about that the Buhari Administration has nothing to campaign with in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.

He described as a cruel irony that the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) that presided over the affairs of the country in a time of plenty could not complete a single modern rail line and was the one accusing an administration that had completed at least three

standard gauge rail-lines of lacking in achievements.

“They are quick to point to some economic indices like the naira exchange rate and inflation, but the truth is that if they were the ones

confronted with having to fight a once-in-a-century pandemic, two economic recessions and low oil prices, Nigeria would have had no economy to even talk about!”

Mohammed said.

to the lecturers. We look forward to a favourable consideration by President Muhammadu Buhari, who has manifested his desire to what is prudent and necessary to resolve all outstanding issues.

“Implementing meaningful change takes time, especially when appropriations and modifications to systems such as IPPIS are required.

Therefore, I urge all parties to be patient and grant each other the presumption of goodwill to the extent necessary to achieve our shared objectives. “This is not a time for political brinkmanship.

There is no more pressing objective than to preclude the possibility of further disruptions to the academic calendar of the universities. We must prevent this possibility by all means, as these disruptions risk the promise and potential of our nation’s youth."

Crisis Rocks Welding, Fabrication Sector as Stakeholders Oppose Factional Institute's Meeting Peter Uzoho The welding and fabrication sector in Nigeria has been engulfed with crisis of interest following the convening of a meeting to be held in Port Harcourt by a faction of the Nigerian Institute of Welding (NIW) against the authorisation of the Authorised National Body (ANB) of the institute.

The leaders and Board of Trustees (BoT) of NIW, who condemned the moves by some members of the body to create crisis within its fold, said their action was an attempt to scuttle efforts of the Nigerian government to boost local content in the welding and fabrication profession in the country.

Last week, some members of the BoT and the authorised national body, an affiliate of NIW, had called for a stakeholders meeting scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on November 8, 2022 (today).

But the proposed meeting was dismissed with a disclaimer published in some national dailies, which was jointly signed by the

Chairman and Secretary of NIW's BoT, Dr. Chudi Egbunike; and Dr. Solomon Edebiri.

However, addressing journalists yesterday in Lagos, over the latest development, Egbunike said the meeting was the handiwork of disgruntled persons opposed to NIW's alignment with the federal government to domesticate welding profession in the country.

"There are a few persons oppose to our efforts to work with the federal government to domesticate welding profession certification in-country as against acclaim international certification.

"They claim that operators in the oil and gas industry prefer the international certification but the question is how does that help the development of the sector in terms of local content," he said.

According to him, the institute had in the past five years worked with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to draw up a national policy framework aimed at ensuring that welding and fabrication pivot industrial transformation of the country.

He stated that the Federal

Executive Council under President Muhammadu Buhari had graciously approved the National Policy on Welding and Weldingrelated fields at its meeting held on October 26, this year.

Noting that all was now set for the full implementation of the policy, Egbunike said some members who were opposed to the move were out to deceive the public.

"The institute is not part of the meeting as we will collaborate with the federal government and other relevant agencies as well as our registered members to promote the Nigerian local content drive and domesticate welding practice in Nigeria in line with global best practices," he said.

On his part, Edebiri noted that those calling for the meeting in Port Harcourt were intruder as most of them have not rectified their membership with the institute.

He identified one Mr. Ayo Adeniyi as being the brain behind the development, saying, "Ayo is the person behind the whole scheme.

Interestingly, he asked his fellow collaborators to sign a document

the content of which they were ignorant.

"If you look at the document they are circulating around, they signed only on the second page not on the first page. Apparently, he gave them to sign a blank document and he developed the page one and attached to the second page. So it has nothing to do with the image of NIW and welding in Nigeria."

Edebiri further said, "Most of the people who signed the meeting announcement are not even members of the institute because if you go back at the record of the institute, they haven't even subscribed to their membership for years.

"And when you have not subscribed to your membership, you are not a member. These are people that believe that if they do welding, they are stakeholders but as members, they are not. So they don't have right to use the name of the institute to call a meeting.

"Worse still our investigation shows that those people purportedly signed there, have all claimed differently that they signed in error."

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ELEVEN

Apple Inc. Appoints TD Africa First Indigenous Distributor for Nigeria World’s leading technology company Apple Inc. has appointed TD Africa as the first authorised indigenous distributor of the company’s products in Nigeria.

According to a statement yesterday, the appointment came after a painstaking study of the Nigerian market and search for an indigenous distribution company with proven capacity and sound

ethical standards.

It explained that the development which was regarded as a demonstration of faith in Nigeria and in line with Apple’s focus on Inclusion & Diversity, would see TD Africa, one of Africa’s biggest distributors of technology, services and lifestyle products add Apple to an impressive list of globally renowned Original Equipment

Manufacturers (OEMs) on its portfolio.

Top executives of Apple Inc. were present at the headquarters of TD Africa in Lagos recently to seal the partnership deal.

“Apple is confident that the status of TD Africa as authorised distributors of its products, which include the iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, iPod and its most

popular product – the iPhone – among others, in Nigeria will go a long way in enhancing distribution, availability, market supply and after sales support of the devices, while also reducing the incidence of grey products or substandard versions.

“TD Africa is renowned for its ethical standing, skilled human capital and status as the biggest

PDP PCC: WHY TINUBU IS RUNNING FROM NATIONAL DEBATE running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, for running away from national debates over fear of probing questions from Nigerians.

Spokesperson of the Atiku/ Abubakar Campaign Organisation, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Tinubu had a record of avoiding debates and public interrogations for fear that Nigerians might take him to task on his alleged stinking corruption record, reported proxy treasury looting, obvious incompetence, ethnic bigotry, as well as his alleged masterminding of APC’s anti-people policies that wrecked Nigeria in the last seven and a half years.

Ologbondiyan also said the APC presidential candidate and his running mate could not face debate for fear of having Tinubu’s claims of building Lagos State publicly exposed as a hoax.

He said the former Lagos State governor could not point to any legacy development project he achieved in the state.

Ologbondiyan stated, "Asiwaju Tinubu is also aware that he cannot face the public to answer questions bordering on his past, particularly, the question on his ancestry, the Alpha-Beta tax saga; as well as his alleged stranglehold on the business, politics and lives of Lagosians from 1999 till date.

"He is afraid of being exposed of fleecing Lagos State for eight years through multiple and harsh tax regimes with nothing to show other than rulership by brawl, breeding of touts and raising criminal street gangs, only to turn around now to attempt to claim the achievements of succeeding governors as his. While continuing to use Alpha-Beta to extort Lagosians for nearly 20 years. Alpha-Beta is the sole tax collecting agency in Lagos."

According to Ologbondiyan, "Nigerians will recall that the APC presidential candidate did not attend the signing of the National Peace Accord in Abuja; he failed to turn up at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries, he avoided the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference and shunned the televised debate organised by credible media houses and civil society groups in Abuja on Sunday to attend a marriage bash in the same nation’s capital.

"Is it not strange that Tinubu, who claims to be a progressive, is dodging debate, a hallmark of progressivism?

"Asiwaju Tinubu and Kashim Shettima have turned themselves into a butt of public joke over their reported inability to even defend the scripts that were written for them with spurious claims and litany of fake promises, which Nigerians have appropriately tagged as ‘Renewed Hopelessness’."

Ologbondiyan explained that it was apparent that the APC presidential candidate could not detail his running mate to represent him at the Abuja debate ostensibly because of Shettima’s abysmal performance at the last Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries outing.

He challenged the Tinubu/ Shettima campaign to come clean on allegations in the public domain that the former Borno State governor was avoiding the debates for fear of awaiting probing questions on the alleged compromise of security during his tenure as governor, which resulted in the kidnap of about 270 students in Chibok.

Ologbondiyan stressed that under Shettima’s watch as governor, there were unanswered questions over series of deadly terrorism attacks in the Borno State.

Ologbondiyan added, "Is Senator Shettima afraid of explaining to Nigerians why his government did not heed to the alleged security warning and directive by the federal government to relocate the schoolgirls to a safer location, which would have averted the abduction?

"In shunning public debates, both Tinubu and Shettima have shown that they have nothing to offer and that they are in the presidential race just for personal aggrandisement and not to serve Nigerians."

On the other hand, Ologbondiyan said Nigerians were celebrating the dazzling performance of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the vice presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in public debates, media interviews and town hall meetings. He said in readiness to take over power in May 29 next year, the PDP candidates had given excellent answers to questions and proffered practicable solutions to the myriads of problems brought to the country by APC. In a related development, the diatribe between the spokesman of the PDP Presidential Management Campaign, Senator Dino Malaye, and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, continued yesterday. Melaye said the venom of Director of Special Media Projects and New Media, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council could not defend the woeful failures of the All Progressive Congress (APC) government in the last seven years.

In a statement, Melaye stressed that Fani-Kayode’s continued hurling of abuses with demonic venom could not defend the woeful record of eight years of APC misrule.

According to Melaye, “Even a person with Femi Fani-Kayode’s diminished stature is well aware of ‘the first law of holes is, when you are in one stop digging.’

"His recent 2696-word tendentious farrago of mendacity is only exceeded by the stunning absence of substance on the very serious issues affecting Nigerians, as Atiku’s policy platform seeks to address.

"It is difficult, if not impossible, to engage people like Femi Fani Kayode and a party such as the APC, which continue to demonstrate a level of fluency in incompetence and economic mismanagement unrivalled in Nigeria’s history.”

He added, "Ad hominem

attacks, absent substantive engagement on policy by Femi Fani-Kayode is like to coin a phrase from a famous British politician, being ‘savaged by a dead sheep’, or in this case a morally and intellectually bankrupt dead sheep!

“A dead sheep born with a silver spoon in his oleaginous mouth who has made a Faustian bargain for 25 pieces of silver to feed both a craving for sycophantic relevance and a lifelong proclivity for indulgently excessive selfmedication.

"No Sir! We chose not to engage you further in your defamatory rants, empty sloganeering and sneering. This campaign will be fought on the pressing issues affecting the lives, livelihoods and welfare of Nigerians.

“It is only Atiku that has put forward a covenant with Nigeria.

It is Atiku who pledges to bring quality education, restructure Nigeria, build a dynamic economy for prosperity, ensure the safety and security of life and property, and restore unity in diversity, develop our human capital, giving the private sector primacy in the nation’s economic development.

It is bold and ambitious."

Melaye said it would be difficult, especially after the damage the APC had inflicted on Nigerians and the economy.

According to the PDP presidential management council spokesman, "On Education, Atiku seeks to enhance education outcomes with improvements in quality and efficiency.

“Flagship interventions, such as the National Open Apprenticeship Programme and Graduate Trainee Internships that will elevate the role technical and vocational education can play in ensuring suitably qualified people for the workforce of tomorrow.

"Atiku will create three million jobs, including one million internships and incubating 100,000 entrepreneurs and supporting business innovation. An Atiku government will lift millions out of poverty.

"On the economy Atiku’s covenant with Nigerians, among other things, is for inclusive growth, create millions of jobs, and more than GDP per capita in a decade with a focus on agriculture, manufacturing with emphasis on small and medium scale enterprises (the backbone of most economies developing and developed).

"On security, increasing Nigeria’s law enforcement capabilities and institutional responsiveness, including expanding policing numbers to one million. Reforming the nation’s security architecture is a priority.”

He said Atiku believed security was a collective issue, “unlike the APC candidate who is associated with various characters with reputations for purveying violence and mayhem, and his running mate with reported links to individuals involved in acts of terrorism in our country.”

Melaye said Atiku had a law enforcement background and

understood what it was to be at the frontline of the nation’s security.

On restructuring, he said, “Atiku is the only candidate advocating for restructuring. Clearly, Nigeria faces multiple challenges that can best be addressed by asking probing questions as to how or whether we can improve upon the nation’s organising principles for diversification and devolution for our better collective national development, through devolving issues, such as social and welfare policies to state and local governments."

On infrastructure, Melaye said Atiku was the only candidate with a plan for infrastructure development, firm targets for power, and a clear roadmap for diversifying the petroleum sector.

supplier of credit to resellers in the Nigerian market – key factors that influenced its endorsement

by Apple as the country’s first indigenous distributor,” the statement added.

Expressing delight at partnering with TD Africa as the first indigenous authorised distributors of Apple products in Nigeria, the Apple Inc. team noted that the company had demonstrated the right capacity as a leading distribution brand for many years, while adding that the partnership would further strengthen the focus on Inclusion & Diversity which reinforces the pillars of the work culture Apple was known for and which drives their innovation, as well as the progress toward a better world.

The Executive team was led by the Regional Director, Middle East & Africa, Apple Inc., David Chisolm, and accompanied by Nigerian-born female tech whizkid, Teju Ajani, who is the Country Manager, Nigeria, Apple Inc. Also commenting on the partnership, Managing Director (Sales), TD Africa, Mrs. Gozy Ijogun revealed that the development would undoubtedly herald huge value for the consumption of genuine Apple products in Nigeria.

While restating the company’s mission of making products and

services accessible, affordable and usable across Africa by building an efficient distribution network, she equally reaffirmed TD Africa’s long-held position as the biggest provider of cutting-edge technology, services and solutions in the region, its over two decades’ track record of expertise and unmatched reach across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and beyond.

Having pioneered structured ICT distribution in the sub-region, TD Africa, founded in 1999, has remained for many years the undisputed leader in the sector and currently boasts an expansive reach of channel partners across its countries of operation which includes Nigeria and Ghana.

TD Africa is credited with the enviable status of being the pioneer bulk distributor in West Africa for a plethora of renowned global brands, the latest of which is Apple. In addition, the company is arguably the only company in the world whose Executive Management team is dominated by women.

It is led by a female CEO and supported by three female Managing Directors.

Apple was the largest technology company by revenue in 2021 and, as of June 2022, was rated as the world's biggest company by market capitalisation.

SECURITY STRATEGY AGAINST NON-STATE ACTORS YIELDING RESULTS, SAYS MONGUNO south-west.

The threats also included illegal oil bunkering in the south-south, banditry and kidnapping in the north-west and north-central zones.

Monguno said the military and security agencies recorded high degree of success in all operations as well as substantial levels of peace and stability in the North-east and North-west.

This, he said, was clearly evident by the continued mass surrender of terrorists and their sympathisers, particularly in the North-east.

“Similar degrees of success are also being recorded in other zones of the country, especially in addressing crude oil theft and secessionist activities, amongst others,” he said.

Monguno harped on the need to strengthen regional cooperation to further ensure the success of ongoing military operations.

“I must also mention the support of our neighbours in our regional counterterrorism efforts, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin under the auspices of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

“The transnational nature of the current threats has made regional cooperation a matter of utmost necessity", he said.

“Additionally, we have continued to strengthen collaboration with our international partners in terms of capacity building, and strategic intelligence sharing.

“These strategic partnerships are mainly driven by the defence attaché system,” he said.

The NSA commended the agency for strengthening alliances to promote Nigeria’s regional and international interest.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari was determined to go to a great length to ensure that the country attained the desired level of peace, stability and prosperity.

Monguno said defence advisers and attachés played significant role in intelligence architecture by providing strategic estimates in partnership with foreign allies.

He said it was important that DIA broadened its horizon to explore avenues to improve indigenous capability in the various dimensions of national security.

According to him, DIA had continued to play a central role

in the intelligence community, particularly in providing technological capabilities, and external and domestic security assessments, mainly of military nature.

“This is a key function of the agency of which the Chief of Defence Intelligence has discharged with great zeal, commitment and determination under my coordination.

“I therefore implore you to always provide us with timely and actionable intelligence in order to shape the global strategic landscape to our advantage," he said.

“Let me also share with you from my experience, that developing strong partnerships and relationships in your host countries as well as countries of accreditation is very vital for a successful tour of duty as defence advisers and defence attaches.

“In addition, I need not stress the overarching importance of your subordination to the ambassador or High Commissioner, as well as cordial relationship between the defence section and the embassy staff.

“You must note that you are all military actors expected to perform established institutional tasks in a civilian setting," he said.

The security chief said: “That is why you were specially selected as elite carrier officers, considering that your work schedule involves directly dealing with civilian diplomats, which requires a lot of tact and professionalism.

“Furthermore, it is instructive that you align your responsibilities with the prescribed guidelines in the relevant portions of the national security strategy of 2019, National Defence Policy of 2017 and the National Military Strategy of 2022."

Monguno expressed confidence that the outcome of the conference would reinforce the existing strategies and proffer new ones to address some perennial security challenges.

Meanwhile, Adebayo has said continuous reappraisal of strategies and operational tactics and methods of intelligence gathering and sharing would efficiently deal with security challenges confronting the nation.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence said the annual conference afforded

the agency the opportunity to appraise the activities of its defence sections all over the world.

Adebayo said the conference was also to identify new lessons, discuss modalities for common challenges, as well as to strategise for the future, especially as the election year approached.

He said the conference came at a time when the nation was facing unusual security challenges characterised by volatile, uncertain and complex environment.

Adebayo, therefore, said the theme was carefully chosen to guide the deliberations and contributions towards attaining success in counterterrorism strategy and creating atmosphere for sustainable national security and development.

He said the DIA had continued to play key role in support of the armed forces in confronting the myriad security challenges being faced by the country.

The CDI added that the special operations undertaken by the agency in conjunction with other stakeholders, which targeted different threat groups in the North West and North Central, were yielding desired results.

According to him, the nature of threats posed by the enemies of Nigeria, reinforced the need for collaborative efforts between government departments within the security service, and through foreign diplomats and defence attachés.

“As we all know, terrorist groups leverage on foreign affiliations to sustain their franchise, the need for international cooperation in countering the terror groups cannot be overemphasised.

“The defense attachés and advisers have done well to elicit this cooperation from their countries of accreditation and to deny the same support to adversaries", he said.

“Importantly, the activities of secessionist groups which threatens the corporate existence of our nation require collaborative action to surmount.

“The need for continuous reappraisal of strategies and operational tactics and methods of intelligence gathering and sharing in order to efficiently deal with our security challenges is very paramount at this time,” he said.

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SOLIDARITY RALLY...

L-R: Lawmaker representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Pat Asadu; candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Vita Abba; the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in the state, Ifeanyi Ossai; the party’s governorship candidate, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and Enugu State Governor/candidate of the PDP for Enugu North Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, during a solidarity rally organised by Asadu in support of all the candidates of the PDP in the forthcoming elections...yesterday

NEMA: Another Flood Disaster Imminent Next Year, Says 2022 Warning Not Heeded Laments that states ignore early warnings Demands special intervention fund to tackle current flooding Utilise ecological funds to prevent reoccurrence, senators tell governors FERMA seeks N100bn intervention fund for road repairs Niger Delta lawmakers berate humanitarian minister over flood comment, demand her sack Sunday Aborisade and Udora Orizu in Abuja The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday raised the alarm that there might be another devastating flooding in Nigeria next year if necessary precautions were not taken by government at all levels.

The warning by NEMA came just as members of the National Assembly from Bayelsa, Rivers and other states in the Niger Delta region yesterday berated the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq over her recent comments on the 2022 flood situation in the country.

The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Mohammed, gave the warning when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Special Duties to defend his agency's 2023 budget.

He lamented that early warnings given to the states in 2022 by NEMA were ignored, hence the devastating effects all over the affected areas.

Mohammed said, "Let me also use this opportunity to prevail on the committee to intervene on our behalf. We have written to states several times. This flood is still coming in 2023.

"They must be advised early to set up SEMA and local emergency committee and fund them adequately.

"We gave similar warning last year but our advises were ignored."

Mohammed told the Senators that despite early warnings issued to states and local governments whose areas were flood-prone, none of them took any positive steps to guide against it.

He explained that the federal government had opened up the nation's silos and had released 12,000 tonnes of grains already which were shared to all the 36 states of the federation Furthermore, he said state governments needed to do more in disaster management instead of abandoning it to the federal government alone.

The NEMA DG said the National Assembly should help inform the state early enough to avoid another devastating effects.

Mohammed said NEMA lacked adequate personnel to handle disaster management.

“State governments should help.

We do not enjoy hazard allowance,” Mohammed added, A member of the committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife, expressed doubts over the possibility of the National Assembly to tell states and local governments to put arrangement that could prevent flooding in place.

She said, "The National Assembly is an independent institution that is not answerable to any states. The states are also not answerable to us.

"We can only appeal to them but our constituents have a greater role to play by telling their state governments to act fast on the NEMA warning.”

The Committee chaired by Senator Yusuf Yusuf, challenged the people of the affected states to hold their governors accountable because it's beyond the mandate and jurisdiction of the National Assembly.

The lawmakers also urged NEMA to make request for additional manpower through the head of service to the president.

They also stressed the need to review the extant conditions of service of NEMA so that their staff would enjoy special salary scale.

Another member of the panel, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, appealed to the states to use the huge financial resources at their disposal especially the ecological funds to address the environmental challenges confronting them.

Floods: FERMA Seeks N100bn Intervention Fund for Road Repairs

Also, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), has requested for N100 billion intervention fund from the federal government for the urgent repairs of roads damaged by flood across

the country.

The Managing Director of FERMA, Nurudeen Rafindadi, said this yesterday, while defending the 2023 budget defence session with the Senate Committee on FERMA. Rafindadi was responding to a question asked by Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gershom Bassey (PDP Cross River South) on steps being taken by FERMA to repair roads destroyed by flood across the country.

He said the evaluation carried out by the agency, showed that N100 billion was urgently needed as intervention fund for road repairs in the affected areas.

He said, "FERMA has more significant role to play in getting things right in the flooded areas in terms of creating access for emergency services or relief materials.

“Without re-fixing the damaged roads across the flooded areas, no relief material or emergency services can be given to victims.

"Evaluation of damages done on the affected roads across the states have been carried out, requiring N100 billion for re-fixing," he said.

The FERMA boss said N31.6 billion envelope was given the agency as capital votes for 2023 fiscal year.

He lamented that the N31.6 billion

was not even half of the N70 billion appropriated for similar purpose in the 2022 fiscal year.

All members of the committee assured the FERMA boss that legislative intervention would be made towards facilitation of N100 billion intervention fund for road repairs in areas affected by flood.

Niger Delta N'Assembly Lawmakers Berate Humanitarian Minister over Flood Comment, Demand Sack

Meanwhile, members of the National Assembly from the Niger Delta states have berated Farouq

over her recent comments on the 2022 flood situation in the country.

Farouq during the recent weekly Ministerial briefing had said Jigawa State was ranked as the most affected state in the country and that Bayelsa State was not even among the 10 most affected states.

However, briefing journalists yesterday, the lawmakers said the minister's assertion was wrong and at variance with the statement of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, who had declared Bayelsa a disaster zone.

Continues online

Diri Presents N385.2bn 2023 Budget Proposal to Bayelsa State Assembly Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri has presented a N385.2 billion budget estimate for the 2023 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

The appropriation bill showed that the Ministry of Works, Infrastructure, Education and Agriculture received the largest allocation.

The appropriation bill christened, “Budget of Sustainable Reconstruction,’ was expected to be largely funded by 40 per cent from Federal Allocation receipts; 39 per cent from the state’s 13 per cent derivation fund; five per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), four per cent from grants and 12 per cent from loans.

Diri, who pointed out that the compilation of the 2023 budget proposal was done after an interactive session with stakeholders in September, 2022, said the budget proposal took into consideration the needs of the people of the state.

He also indicated that considering the 70.7 per cent implementation of the 2022 budget in nine months, the

2023 budget proposal would take care of the personnel cost estimated at N635 billion; overhead cost at N95 billion; capital expenditure at N167.5 billion and pension and gratuity was allocated N14.7 billion.

Also public and debt service was expected to gulp N33.7 billion and contributory pension N4.7 billion.

In the breakdown of funds allocated to Ministries in the state, Diri announced that Works & Infrastructure was allocated N77.9 billion; Education - N40.4 billion; Agriculture - N14.1 billion; Finance - N13.8 billion; Health - 12.5 billion and Lands & Housing - N7.2billion.

Others were Ministry of Information, Orientation and Strategy - N6.3 billion; Local Government and Community Development N5.7 billion; Transport - N5.3billion; Youths and Sports Development - N4.6 billion; Trade & Investment - N2.8 billion and Power - N2.5 billion.

His words: "In view of the enormous impact of the flood, we have also set up a post flood management committee headed by the deputy governor for our

recovery plan for including but not limited to the reconstructing of damaged infrastructure, food security, and other humanitarian challenges. This is urgently required to enable our people return to normal life.

"In this budget, provisions will be made for post-flood management.

Furthermore, while we continue to engage with the federal government for their intervention, I will establish a special directorate for the management of flood and erosion control, to provide technical guide to flooding, erosion, sustainable development relating to environment and other environmental challenges in our state.

"This 2023 appropriation bill takes into consideration citizens and stakeholders’ inputs which culminated into the public interactive session held in September, to ensure that Bayelsans have the opportunity to contribute their ideas to crafting our shared prosperity, consequently, this proposal is christend the Budget of Sustainable Growth and Reconstruction 2023.

"As at September 30, our income

and expenditure performance is put at 70.7 per cent for nine months, we have prudently implemented the 2022 Budget of Sustainable Growth and made not worthy headway in executing several capital intensive project for the benefit of our people and to the glory of God. "The popular expression is those who fails to plan, plans to fail, that is why we carefully presents the 2023 Budget of Growth for Reconstruction for your judicious and expeditious consideration.

“Secondly, we will continue to build new physical infrastructure and restore those that have been damaged by the flood for the benefit of our people, and thirdly we will continue to improve our civil service in order to enhance their professionalism.”

The Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere commended the State Governor, for the ongoing projects at different levels of completion, describing the approaches adopted by the state government as tactical and commendable.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

POLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY)

Drama, Intriques As Four Presidential Candidates Face Arise TV Panel From sterling performance by some presidential candidates, to expression of displeasure by citizens over absenteeism, Udora Orizu x-rays key takeaway from the Arise TV first town hall meeting with four presidential candidates ahead of the 2023 general election

Kwankwaso

Obi

O

the curiosity and interest of Nigerians who were eager to know what the parties’ candidates have in the offing if elected President in 2023.

Shortly before the commencement of the meeting, protests erupted over the representation of the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, by his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa and the absence of the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Tinubu.

While candidates of Labour Party, NNPP, and Atiku’s running mate were all seated, the ruling APC’s flag bearer Tinubu was conspicuously absent with no reason, and was also not represented.

Frowning at the development, supporters of other presidential candidates insisted on “No representation by proxy,” hence Governor Okowa must step down, since the meeting was for presidential candidates only. They also faulted Tinubu’s absence, noting that he has avoided similar events by the body of lawyers, NBA, and the body of chartered accountants, ICAN. As they argued it took several appeals to calm frayed nerves and bring the angry supporters to agreement, for Okowa to stay on and for Kola Abiola of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) to replace APC’s vacant seat at the meeting.

n November 6, 2022, Arise News Channel, held its first series of town hall meetings, in Abuja with four of the frontline presidential candidates in the 2023 general election.

The meeting organized by Arise Television, in partnership with Center for Development and Democracy (CDD) and other partners, was for the candidates to tell Nigerians their plans for the country if elected President come 2023.

At the meeting were a former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi; former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Governor of Delta State and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, who stood in for his principal, Atiku Abubakar, and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Mr. Kola Abiola.

The town hall meeting, which trended nationwide, had sterling performances by some presidential candidates, and as well slight drama over false utterance and absence of the presidential candidates of the two major political parties, APC and PDP. The Drama, Intrigues As expected, while most town hall gatherings end in fruitful deliberations, it however sometimes lead to fistfights and exchange of words.

When announced by Arise TV/CDD, the meeting tagged, “Presidential Town Hall Meeting on Security and Economy,” piqued

Abiola

Okowa

Reacting later to why Tinubu was absent at the Sunday’s event, the spokesperson of the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Festus Keyamo, said Tinubu did not attend to avoid “selective appearance.”

Keyamo, in a statement, explained that several television stations have indicated interest to host similar events, however Tinubu has no plan to attend any but prefers to speak to Nigerians directly.

A slight drama also played out, as Labour Party’s candidate, Peter Obi, cautioned Senator Dino Melaye over false utterance.

Drama started when Melaye, who’s the Spokesperson, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Management Committee, tagged an attendee of the meeting ‘Obi people.’

On hearing the words of Dino, Peter Obi snapped at the PDP official.

Obi said: “Stop that Dino. I have taken too much from you here. Why are you always calling me? I won’t take that. This man is from ANPP. Why are you calling him Obi people?”

As Dino feigned ignorance, Peter Obi, insisted that he will not condone such behavior.

Aside the drama and protests, as citizens praised Arise TV for the initiative, they also took to their various social accounts to analyze the performances of the four candidates.

As Peter Obi and Kwankwaso response to questions were described by majority as sterling, dissenting opinions trailed PRP’s Kola Abiola and PDP’s Okowa.

A Twitter user, @DearestJessica wrote, “Peter Obi has proved beyond reasonable doubts that he’s over qualified and we’ll knowledgeable.

As for Kola Abiola, he should go and contest for councillor seat first.”

Another user, @Jp_clem1 wrote, “the most intelligent Igbo man running for president is Peter Obi, the most intelligent Hausa man running for president is Kwankwaso, the most intelligent Yoruba man running for president is Kola Abiola. But you know what, among all we are giving Peter Obi a try.”

Another user, @sadiyahamza41 wrote, “please, how did Kola Abiola become the presidential candidate of PRP? I think he needs some contextual understanding of the governance structure in Nigeria “.

Also, @nnamdiia wrote, “Obi and Kwankwaso are doing well. Kola Abiola is trying. Okowa is a huge disappointment even to his supporters.

Atiku must be watching and a little disappointed.”

Candidates Lay Out Agendas PETER OBI During the question and answer session Peter Obi stole the show with his consistent verifiable figures.

The Presidential candidate of Labour Party lamented the level of poverty in the north, saying it was unacceptable, given the amount of arable lands available for agricultural purposes in the region, even as he insisted on the removal of fuel subsidy if he is elected president next year.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Marafa: Tinubu is Zamfara’s Choice for 2023 Presidency Former Chairman of Senate committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Senator Kabiru Marafa, says Presidential flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stands a better chance than other presidential candidates in Zamfara State

C

oordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Zamfara State, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, has urged the Presidential Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to concentrate on other states, saying there he has no opposition in Zamfara State.

Marafa, while speaking during the launch of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign in Zamfara state, said by Allah’s grace, the people of the state will overwhelmingly vote for Tinubu during the February 25, 2023, presidential/ national assembly elections.

The former lawmaker also urged the Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, who is the coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council in the North West geopolitical zone to concentrate on the six other states in the region.

According to him: “There is no opposition

Tinubu

in Zamfara State. Can you fight a war without a commander? No. The opposition in Zamfara now has no

commander. Therefore, the war in Zamfara has been won,” he said.

While urging Governor Matawalle to allow the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Dauda Lawal, who he described as a friend and brother to return to APC, he said the PDP in the state has since realised that there is no vacancy in Zamfara State Government House.

“As Muslims, our religion teaches us that we should love our brothers how we love ourselves.

This is why I’m calling on the state Governor to give our brother a chance (PDP governorship candidate, Dauda Lawal) to return home.

We will give him two to three weeks to come and seek forgiveness so that we can forgive him. Let him return home so that we can work together,” he said.

On the Zamfara governorship election, Marafa said there’s no vacancy in the state government

house.

“A brother of mine told me leadership position is like a seat in a barbing saloon. When a customer finishes his haircut, another will sit on the same seat to also have his haircut.

“Presently, someone is sitting on the Zamfara State governorship seat. Bello Matawalle is the one Allah SWT has given it to. With what we saw today (the multitude of people that came out to welcome them) anybody thinking he wants to occupy the seat should have a second thought.

Wait until he (Matawalle) finishes his second term in office, you can then vie for it. But presently, you (Dauda Lawal) have not learned enough, you need to come back for more training” he said.

He challenged the candidate of the PDP for Zamfara Central Senatorial District to a debate, saying, “ let every one of us say what he has done for our people”.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

POLITICS

Unease at N’Assembly Over Terror Threat Udora Orizu writes that following recent advisory issued by United States government and some other countries asking their citizens to steer clear of Abuja, the National Assembly has tightened security around the complex

F

ollowing a recent travel advisory issued by the United States government and some other countries asking their citizens to steer clear of Abuja, the National Assembly has increased the security network around the complex and as well tasked the Armed Forces on proactive measures to neutralize the situation, so Nigerians can live peacefully.

Though, the Nigerian government has allayed fears over the safety of people living in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, however that didn’t stop the federal lawmakers from questioning heads of security agencies who came to defend their 2023 budget.

The National Security Council (NSC) had last week reassured Abuja residents of their safety, saying adequate security arrangements have been made to sustain the state of law and order in the nation’s capital.

Speaking with newsmen, at the end of an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) punctured the security alerts, which had generated fear about Nigeria, especially Abuja, saying citizens are in no danger.

Monguno stressed that the panic that followed the US terror alert, addressed to its citizens in Nigeria, was needless, as the hype and sense of insecurity it created were unfounded. He urged Nigerians and other residents to go about their businesses without fear of any security breach.

He however said, the armed forces and other security and intelligence agencies are not relenting in their efforts to ensure that all Nigerians in every part of the country are safe.

The NSA had stated, “The damage, whether it is intended or unintended, has been done.

People’s minds have been tuned to a state of

Lawan

Gbajabiamila

insecurity, which is quite bad, there’s nothing we can do if the US Embassy has gone out to give an advisory to its citizens and it has also affected other people. I will like to, first and foremost, assure all the citizens of this country that any exaggerated sense of insecurity, any hype about a disintegration of our security forces, intelligence agencies, is unfounded. I want to assure Nigerians that so far, the situation has been under control, the intelligence and security agencies have made a lot of arrests.

“I want to dispel any illusion about any heightened sense of insecurity. It is false; it is irresponsible for anybody to give that signal.

We’re working with our foreign

partners in a responsible way and Nigerians should go about their normal daily undertakings without being put in a situation of fear.”

Despite the government’s stance on the threat, the worsening insecurity in the country has always been a concern to the lawmakers.

Back in April last year, the Senate apparently frustrated by the National Assembly’s inability to halt the worsening security situation across Nigeria, asked that the National Assembly be shut down.

They made the call during a lengthy debate on a motion on the activities of Boko Haram insurgents in three local governments in Niger State.

Few days later, the lawmakers were notified of a possible attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the National Assembly complex and other public buildings in Abuja.

The notice on the impending attack led the

lawmakers to tighten up security around the complex.

Following this recent terror threat issued by foreign governments, security personnel at the National Assembly complex last week commenced thorough search of all vehicles coming into the compound.

There was no exception to the search, as representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the federal government, who came for the 2023 budget estimates’ defence were checked by the security agents strategically positioned within and around the complex.

The NASS Security Management Committee, in a memo, stated that the stop and search exercise was to prevent the complex from being a vulnerable target for insurgents.

The memo signed by Director, Administrative, Dr. Tahir Sani, read in part, “One of such measures is the directive to security agencies and the Sergeant-at-Arms Department to ensure that, effective October 31, 2022, all vehicles coming into the National Assembly premises are thoroughly searched. This entails that the drivers of the vehicles shall by themselves open the booths of their cars and submit their vehicles to comprehensive checks.

“Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators are by this notice advised to use the Presidential gate, unless they are willing to submit themselves to this stop and search policy.

While regretting the inconvenience that this policy may cause to our visitors, staff, Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators, it is important to state that this measure is due to the exigent demands of our security challenges.”

Aside the stop and search measure, Chairman of some House Committees during the budget defence sessions queried what the security agencies are doing to neutralize the situation and ensure safety of citizens.

Much Ado About Chidoka’s Alleged Demonisation of Obi David-Chyddy Eleke in this piece writes about allegation of former minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka’s demonisation of his kinsman, Peter Obi, to help Atiku Abubakar win 2023 presidency.

L

ast week, news of allegations of sabotage by former aviation minister, Osita Chidoka against former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi surfaced.

Chidoka had joined the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to the United States of America, alongside other members of their team, but during the period, Chidoka was said to have engaged in massive demarketing of Peter Obi before Atiku.

According to a write up that was hugely circulated on social media, in almost all the meetings held by the Atiku group in United States, Chidoka remained consistent in trying to demarket Obi. The write up stated: “As far as we are concerned, Mr. Osita Chidoka is free to support any person. However, what should be condemned is taking every available opportunity to de-market Mr. Peter Obi. In all the meetings they held with some diplomatic communities, his only mission was attacking Mr. Peter Obi through some unprintable words.

“In their present trip to the USA, his one purpose is demonisation of Obi. It became so notorious that some people on the entourage made jest among themselves on how Igbos hate one another foolishly. At the home front, he has reached out to Nigerians close to him preaching against Obi. His usual tale is how Obi would not support the rich, how he has started preaching against subsidy and how he will replicate what he did in Anambra by not allowing others to benefit from government as if it were his personal property. “I am young and not ready to retire and will not allow Obi to retire me”, the unsigned piece quoted Chidoka as saying.

For those who know how far Obi and Chidoka have come, they will be surprised at such alleged attacks on Obi by Chidoka, who had many times over referred to him (Obi) as a elder brother

Atiku

and a mentor. But many others will feel this is politics, and everyone is at liberty to support whoever they like, as no ethnic group will totally support candidates from their zones.

Meanwhile, Chidoka has discountenanced the allegations. In a reaction signed on his behalf by the leader of his media Team, Mr Ikechukwu Okafor, Chidoka said there was no truth in the allegation.

Part of the press release read: “The attention of the Media Team of Chief Osita Chidoka, has been drawn to an unsigned write-up with the above caption. Ordinarily, we wouldn’t glorify an unsigned write-up with a reply but, the reply has to be done considering we are in the period of electioneering campaign for 2023 presidential election.

“We don’t know what the author of the piece hopes to achieve but we suspect that he used the good name of Osita Chidoka to give momentum to his nefarious goal of tarnishing

Obi

Chidoka

Peter Obi’s name. His crude tactics of sharing unprintable and libellous allegations against Peter Obi using the attention-grabbing name of Osita Chidoka should be clear to any discerning reader. The writer’s aim is clear and our response is to expose his carefully disguised evil intention.

“Chidoka, former Corps Marshall of FRSC, is a politician known for his outspokenness and regular commentary on national issues.

At no time, has he been known for negative rhetoric or mud-slinging. His campaign for the governorship of Anambra State in 2017 stood out for its positive and issues-based messaging.

His digital grassroots mobilisation is now a reference point as Nigerians embrace digital campaigning.”

The disclaimer by Chidoka continued: “Sadly, the faceless personality behind this ingenious and flagrant denigration of the Labour Presidential candidate through this unsigned enemy action has garnered public attention by using Chidoka’s name as a clickbait. We appreciate the concern of friends and well-wishers of Chief Chidoka who have been reaching out to us in his Media Team.

“Please be rest assured that Chidoka will never descend to such levels in his politics.

His engagements are public and guided by his convictions which he publicly espouses.

We use this opportunity to remind the general public that we are in election season where all manner of political propaganda is deployed to ridicule and discredit perceived opponents. Be discerning and watchful,” the release had said.

Some reactions have trailed the accusation, with many actually stating that Chidoka did nothing wrong is supporting his party, but there have been no concrete proof that he did demarket Obi as the write-up had claimed.

A public affairs analyst, Stephen Eze, who spoke to our correspondent said: “I’m not aware if Chidoka committed any sin by standing with someone he feels is better. Even the denial by him was unnecessary. Many people still believe that all is fair in politics, and if what Chidoka thinks can help pull Obi down for his own candidate is the demarketing of Obi, why will he not do it.”

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

18 T H I S D AY TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022 TR

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& RE A S O

Tuesday November 8, 2022 Vol 27. No 10073

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

‘APER FORMS’ AND THE BUHARI YEARS Nigerians are looking forth to February 2023, writes TUNDE OLUSUNLE

See page 23

TAKING THE HEAT OUT OT MFOM writes that Udom Emmanuel is in good hands

See page 23 EDITORIAL ENDING PRESIDENTIAL RIGMAROLE AT NDDC

See page 24

1

On what basis is the VIP protection racket based? asks FOLA ARTHUR WORREY

THE POLICE AS HUMAN SHIELDS Two incidents in the past week brought me back to this topic, i.e., the allocation of WKRXVDQGV RI DUPHG SROLFH R΀ FHUV DV 9,3 SURWHFWLRQ R΀ FHUV RU HVFRUWV WR DOO PDQQHU of individuals, both public and private, local and foreign, and through which rather informal process we have lost scores of men and, in my humble view, weakened the police force and thereby compromised the VHFXULW\ FRYHUDJH RI WKH FRXQWU\ ,Q WKH À UVW LQFLGHQW WKUHH SROLFH R΀ FHUV ZHUH VKRW GHDG during an attack, somewhere in the south HDVW RQ WKH PRWRUFDGH RI RQH ,IHDQ\L 8EDK D serving senator and an individual famous for KLV À QDQFLDO DQG EXVLQHVV WUDQVDFWLRQV DOVR The senator himself escaped death or injury because he was safely ensconced inside his EXOOHW SURRI 689 2I FRXUVH WKH SROLFH R΀ FHUV on escort duty were exposed in their softbodied pickup truck, and one might wonder ZK\ D EXOOHW SURRI 689 VWLOO QHHGHG DGGLWLRQDO external and high risk escort, but then one QHHGV WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW WKHVH R΀ FHUV ZHUH primarily acting as human shields and were therefore considered expendable. (Sadly, after this article was written, we lost another four SROLFH R΀ FHUV ZKR ZHUH HVFRUWLQJ RQH DSRVWOH Suleman during an attack somewhere in Edo State. He also escaped death, ensconced in his EXOOHW SURRI 689 $QG ZH QHHG WR XQGHUVWDQG WKDW LQ 1LJHULD WKHVH HVFRUW R΀ FHUV DUH often used more to add to the status of their “principals”, and less to protect them, and to allow their motorcades to proceed noisily and recklessly along the public highways, EUHDFKLQJ WUD΀ F ODZV VRPHWLPHV FODVKLQJ with constituted authority, and with supposed R΀ FHUV RI WKH ODZ YDOLGDWLQJ DQG HQIRUFLQJ often with aggressive behavior, sometimes with horsewhips, what is essentially a public nuisance.

The second incident involved a female SROLFH R΀ FHU DWWDFKHG DV DQ ´RUGHUO\µ DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH R΀ FLDO SROLFH VWDWHPHQW IURP WKH R΀ FH RI WKH LQVSHFWRU JHQHUDO ,* RI SROLFH to a female university professor, and who was brutally assaulted by said professor and other members of her family for refusing to carry out some domestic duties that the professor LQVLVWHG VKH GR 7KH ,* H[SUHVVHG KLV RXWUDJH DQG RUGHUHG DQ LQYHVWLJDWLRQ EXW , KDG KRSHG that he would take advantage of the situation WR UHYLHZ WKH ZKROH 9,3 SURWHFWLRQ UDFNHW DV this was a golden opportunity, but as usual, DOO ZHQW TXLHW RQ WKH ZHVWHUQ IURQW , DOVR thought that the professor would immediately be arrested and charged to court for what was HVVHQWLDOO\ D FULPLQDO RͿ HQFH EXW WKLQJV OLNH that don’t happen in this unusual, peculiar democracy of ours. ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKRXVDQGV RI SROLFH R΀ FHUV escorting and “protecting” various individuals, we have thousands of others, armed also and paid from the public purse, protecting various private facilities such as banks, supermarkets, restaurants, night clubs, factories and private KRPHV $QG MXVW UHFHQWO\ WKH DUPHG SROLFH R΀ FHUV DWWDFKHG WR D SRSXODU VLQJHU DOOHJHGO\ shot at a gentlemen in a night club apparently during an altercation between him and the

singer over the singer’s persistent romantic DSSURDFK WR KLV ZLIH ,PDJLQH 1RZ WKH UHDVRQ ZK\ , HPSKDVL]H WKH IDFW that they are armed is not only because such arms are operated outside the normal police FRQGXFW RQ WKH XVH RI À UHDUPV EXW EHFDXVH new police recruits have to wait for at least three years before they can bear arms under police regulations; and so for those saying that we need to recruit more police men to face our current security challenges, note that they will not be much use in the very violent battles we are facing for some time to come.

2QO\ DQ LPPHGLDWH UHOHDVH RI WKH DUPHG escorts (over 130,000 of them and growing by SROLFH DFFRXQWV WR WKHLU VWDWXWRU\ GXWLHV ZLOO bring the police service back to a meaningful capacity.

1RZ WKH ELJ TXHVWLRQ , KDYH IRU WKH SROLFH leadership and their constitutional masters, i.e., the federal government, is this: on what EDVLV OHJDO RU E\ FRQYHQWLRQ LV WKLV 9,3 SURWHFWLRQ UDFNHW EDVHG" $QG E\ ZKDW FULWHULD DUH 9,3V LGHQWLÀ HG" ,Q WKH À UVW SODFH QRZKHUH LQ WKH &RQVWLWXWLRQ RU WKH QHZ 3ROLFH $FW RU HYHQ XQGHU WKH ROG RQH LV WKH ,* RU DQ\ RWKHU R΀ FLDO HPSRZHUHG WR GHSOR\ DUPHG SROLFHPHQ WR HVFRUW RU JXDUG VSHFLÀ F SULYDWH individuals or premises on a 24/7 basis as is FXUUHQWO\ WKH FDVH 5DWKHU WKH $FW DORQJ ZLWK the constitution speaks of the duty of the police to protect lives and property generally, enforce WKH ODZ DQG DSSUHKHQG FULPLQDOV ,QGHHG WKH RQO\ UHIHUHQFH WKH $FW PDNHV WR SURWHFWLQJ VSHFLÀ F SURSHUW\ LV ZKHQ LW PDNHV SURYLVLRQ IRU WKH ,* WR GHSOR\ XQDUPHG VXSHUQXPHUDU\ DX[LOLDU\ R΀ FHUV DW WKH UHTXHVW RI WKH LQGLYLGXDOV RZQLQJ VXFK SURSHUW\ , VHH nowhere, legally or by convention, that MXVWLÀ HV WKH ZKROHVDOH GHSOR\PHQW RI WHQV of thousands of publicly paid, armed and NLWWHG R΀ FHUV ZKR VKRXOG EH VHFXULQJ WKH JHQHUDO VSDFH IRU DOO FLWL]HQV WR SDVV WKURXJK to certain individuals, including in some cases known criminals, and who use them almost like personal chattel. Some individuals have RYHU À IWHHQ PRELOH SROLFHPHQ JXDUGLQJ WKHLU residences and factories, separate from the ones who follow them about on a 24/7 basis.

Nor are we told the criteria for such deployment. Today we have armed policemen SXEOLF R΀ FHUV DWWDFKHG WR SROLWLFLDQV UHOLJLRXV OHDGHUV HVSHFLDOO\ &KULVWLDQ

bankers, wealthy entrepreneurs, musicians, comedians, socialites, actors, 419ners, foreigners and the like, and to add insult to injury, they register their cars with police QXPEHUV DQG HYHQ WKRXJK WKH ,* KDV UHFHQWO\ ordered a stop to this practice, it still goes on.

Where do they get their impunity?

These escorts are everywhere, at social events, to pick people up at airports, at homes, WR WDNH WKHLU FKLOGUHQ WR VFKRRO LQ WKHLU R΀ FHV and work places and the like, looking less like R΀ FHUV RI WKH ODZ DQG PRUH OLNH ERXQFHUV DQG ERG\JXDUGV , ZDV LQ FRXUW RQFH ZKHQ D lawyer entered the courtroom with his armed HVFRUW WUDLOLQJ EHKLQG ,QFUHGLEOH ,QGHHG DOO WKLV Á XUU\ RI DFWLYLW\ DQG QRLVH FUHDWHV WKH impression of more insecurity than there DFWXDOO\ LV $QG DOO WKLV KDV KDSSHQHG XQGHU our so called democracy where everyone is supposedly equal under the law. What if every FLWL]HQ LQVLVWHG RQ KDYLQJ SHUVRQDO SROLFH SURWHFWLRQ" $QG WKLV SDWWHUQ RI SROLFH XVDJH LV a relatively recent phenomena, becoming the nuisance it now is in the past ten or so years. $SDUW IURP DQ\WKLQJ HOVH HVFRUW GXW\ SXWV D WDUJHW RQ HYHU\ SROLFHPDQ·V EDFN ,W LV D VWUDQJH and careless way of deploying police, and the number who have been killed on such duties is clear evidence of that. But we don’t seem to appreciate this fact, and over time these escorts DUH VHHQ OHVV DV UHVSRQVLEOH SROLFH R΀ FHUV ZLWK authority to enforce the law and more as mere lackeys. Recall the response of a prominent FLWL]HQ ZKR KDG WKUHH RI KLV SROLFH HVFRUWV VKRW GHDG LQ $QDPEUD VWDWH ZKLOH KH ZDV hosting a town hall meeting. His explanation of what he thought when he heard the shots À UHG RXWVLGH LV LQVWUXFWLYH $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP when he heard the shots he thought it was his police escorts celebrating some event outside by shooting into the air. To even think that of SROLFH R΀ FHUV &OHDUO\ KH QR ORQJHU VDZ WKHP DV SROLFH R΀ FHUV FKDUJHG WR XSKROG WKH ODZ otherwise such a thought would never have occurred to him. They were his ‘boys’, nothing more. This is what is happening up and down the line, the gradual erosion of police values. , DP DZDUH WKDW DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG XVXDOO\ by convention, a certain unique set of public R΀ FHUV LV HQWLWOHG WR SROLFH SURWHFWLRQ and they are relatively small in number, so as not to deplete the main force, and specially WUDLQHG LQ 9,3 SURWHFWLRQ DQG HYHQ LI WKHUH LV no law setting this out (except, for instance, in WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV ZKHUH WKH ODZ VSHFLÀ FDOO\ places on the secret service the duty of protecting the president, vice-president and SUHVLGHQWLDO FDQGLGDWHV WKHUH DUH FHUWDLQ criteria by which normal society accepts the need for close protection of this category of SXEOLF R΀ FLDOV 7KH À UVW VHW DUH WKRVH SHUVRQV whose incapacitation (say during an attack by WHUURULVWV RU GXULQJ DQ DWWHPSWHG FRXS G·HWDW ZRXOG VHULRXVO\ DͿ HFW WKH IXQFWLRQLQJ RI WKH state and the level of public anxiety, thereby impinging on national security.

Arthur-Worrey is former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 04Nov-2022, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 176.38 177.53 5.69% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.46% Nigeria International Debt Fund 317.74 317.74 12.86% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.45 107.60 7.87% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.52% AIICO Balanced Fund 4.07 4.11 19.15% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.85% Anchoria Equity Fund 134.99 136.49 -3.06% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 -0.10% info@anchoriaam.com ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 20.48 21.10 0.97% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 479.07 493.52 6.19% ARM Ethical Fund 41.37 42.62 6.20% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 0.98% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 5.02% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.29% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 89.42 89.42 -12.78% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,070.44 1,070.44 7.04% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 136.89 137.85 2.36% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.48% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.09 2.09 2.30% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.21 2.25 1.57% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.03 1.03 7.15% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.86% Paramount Equity Fund 17.43 17.74 4.42% Women's Investment Fund 142.81 144.48 0.59% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.78% Cordros Milestone Fund 128.69 129.53 3.52% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 111.96 111.96 5.00% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 10.41% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.08% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,134.87 1,144.41 1.60% EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.40% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 8.69% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.00 1.00 -0.20% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 103.97 103.97 2.49% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1444.59 1444.59 11.37% FBN Balanced Fund 190.38 191.61 8.63% FBN Halal Fund 125.41 125.41 12.12% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.59% FBN Dollar Fund 127.19 127.19 6.63% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 153.52 155.57 2.27% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.41% Legacy Debt Fund 3.59 3.59 -10.34% Legacy Equity Fund 1.81 1.84 3.91% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.25 1.25 3.61% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn

Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

3,991.55 3,661.24 100.00

4,018.30 3,661.24 100.00

2.07% 6.59% 12.55%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.12 1.12 4.08% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.26 11.32 3.88% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.32% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.55 101.55 9.28% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 11.45% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.61 1.64 2.22% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.59 11.66 3.92% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.52% PACAM Equity Fund 1.31 1.33 -7.38% PACAM EuroBond Fund 117.44 120.53 3.22% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 120.05 122.62 0.05% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.07 1.07 10.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,429.67 3,463.18 1.26% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 243.61 243.61 3.41% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.33 1.35 6.35% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 328.67 328.68 4.96% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 251.10 254.47 7.58% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.05% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,504.21 11,659.29 5.44% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.35 1.35 4.59% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 120.28 120.28 2.88% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 113.76 113.76 6.94% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.89 0.91 1.06% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.32 1.34 1.32% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.13 1.15 9.58% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.09 1.09 7.23% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.93 1.93 6.30% United Capital Eurobond Fund 124.32 124.32 5.82% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.04% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 13.37 13.49 1.35% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 15.27 15.41 4.43% Zenith Income Fund 23.28 23.28 6.05% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.23% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.66 3.76 -8.64% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.52 5.62 -5.52% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 16.24 16.44 -8.09% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.08% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.80 20.00 -0.93% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 133.80 135.80 -15.10%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

119.29 52.14

5.27% 2.50%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.36 119.61 90.74 17.10 16.40

14.46 122.63 92.72 17.20 16.50

2.65% -5.90% -9.04% 4.57% -8.24%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.59

0.00%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

UFFORD MFOM writes that Udom Emmanuel is in good hands Nigerians are looking forth to February 2023, writes TUNDE OLUSUNLE

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Mfom writes from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

24 4

T H I S D AY

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

ENDING PRESIDENTIAL RIGMAROLE AT NDDC The intervention agency needs to be governed according to its enabling law

O

n 20th October 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari removed the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission 1''& (΀ RQJ $NZD DQG DSSRLQWHG (PPDQXHO $XGX 2KZDYERUXD DV WKH acting managing director of the intervention agency. ,W ZDV WKH WKLUG WLPH KH ZRXOG EH GRLQJ WKDW VLQFH %XW RSHUDWLQJ RXWVLGH WKH ODZ WR LPSRVH LQWHULP PDQDJHPHQW ERDUGV ZLWK HODVWLF PDQGDWHV FDQQRW EH D ZD\ WR LQVWLOO DFFRXQWDELOLW\ LQ WKH FRPPLVVLRQ ,W LV D UHFLSH IRU XQZKROHVRPH SUDFWLFHV DV DYDLODEOH UHSRUWV QRZ LQGLFDWH $QG WKH SUHVLGHQW VKRXOG WDNH WKH EODPH IRU ZKDW LV KDSSHQLQJ DW the commission.

Established in 2000 by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, the 1''& ZDV FKDUJHG ZLWK facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region “that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.” But since 2017, the commission has been administered by adKRF PDQDJHPHQW FRPPLWWHHV ZLWKRXW D SURSHUO\ FRQVWLWXWHG JRYHUQLQJ ERDUG WKDW ZRXOG HQIRUFH the good corporate governance that is required for H΀ FLHQW GHOLYHU\ RI LWV PDQGDWHV 7KDW WKLV JRYHUQDQFH structure has failed is evidenced by the high turnover of these interim contraptions that had been shoved out RI R΀ FH RYHU DOOHJDWLRQV RI PXOWLSOH FRUUXSWLRQ It is unfortunate that an administration that came in ZLWK WKH PDQGDWH WR À JKW JUDIW KDV EHHQ WDNLQJ WHQWDWLYH actions bordering on inability to rein in disparate interests of gullible and often greedy politicians. And ZLWK WKDW WKH PRQH\ WKDW ZDV PHDQW WR GHYHORS 1LJHU 'HOWD LV EHLQJ F\QLFDOO\ ORRWHG ZLWK R΀ FLDO FRPSOLFLW\ :LWK UHYHODWLRQV RI KRZ KXQGUHGV RI ELOOLRQV RI 1DLUD end up in private hands at the NDDC, it is unfortunate WKDW WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW KDV DOORZHG WKH SUREOHP to fester.

In the circumstances, therefore, the ongoing

DJLWDWLRQV E\ QRW RQO\ FLWL]HQV RI WKH LQWHQGHG EHQHÀ FLDO communities and states but also by the vast majority RI VWDNH KROGLQJ JURXSV IRU WKH FRPSRVLWLRQ RI WKH governing board and management of the agency in DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK LWV HVWDEOLVKPHQW DFW LV KXJHO\ MXVWLÀ HG DQG VKRXOG EH KHDUNHQHG WR ZLWKRXW IXUWKHU ULJPDUROH 7KLV LV SDUWLFXODUO\ VR EHFDXVH WKH SUHVLGHQF\ WKDW KDV the responsibility for instituting the board has since UXQ RXW RI H[FXVHV IRU LWV ZLOIXO GLVREHGLHQFH WR WKH ODZ ,WV SULQFLSDO FRPSODLQW ZDV WKDW WKH DJHQF\ KDG been a cesspool of corruption that had hindered its FDSDFLW\ WR IXOÀ O LWV FRUH PDQGDWHV ,W FRQVHTXHQWO\ commissioned a forensic audit in 2019 to investigate the operations of the agency EHWZHHQ DQG promising to appoint the governing board thereafter.

It has repeatedly refused to do so.

Without a doubt, the interim managements KDYH QRW VKRZQ DQ\ EHWWHU restraints and could be argued to have performed EDGO\ LI QRW ZRUVH ODUJHO\ EHFDXVH RI WKH ODFN RI D transparent supervisory structure. In any case, the much-touted forensic audit report has since been VXEPLWWHG ZLWK WKH SUHVLGHQF\ GRLQJ QR PRUH WKDQ threatening to implement its recommendations that DUH QRW ZLWKLQ WKH SXEOLF SXUYLHZ ,W LV WKHUHIRUH OLWWOH surprise that the president’s latest directive that the board of the NDDC be constituted according to the HVWDEOLVKHG ODZ LV WDNHQ ZLWK D SLQFK RI VDOW E\ WKH public because of the litany of breaches of similar orders in the past. $V WKLV QHZVSDSHU KDV UHSHDWHGO\ VWDWHG LW LV imperative that the presidency not only publishes the UHSRUW RI WKH IRUHQVLF DXGLW DQG WDNH FRQFUHWH VWHSV WR implement its recommendations but also institute the JRYHUQLQJ ERDUG RI WKH LQWHUYHQWLRQ DJHQF\ ZLWKRXW further delay so that it could serve the purpose for ZKLFK LW ZDV HVWDEOLVKHG $IWHU DOO WKH 6HQDWH ZD\ EDFN LQ 1RYHPEHU PDGH WKH SUHVLGHQW·V MRE HDVLHU E\ FRQÀ UPLQJ KLV QRPLQHHV :KDW ZDV OHIW ZDV WKHLU LQDXJXUDWLRQ ZKLFK VKRXOG QRW EH GHOD\HG DQ\ IXUWKHU

It is imperative that the presidency not only publishes the report of the forensic audit and take concrete steps to implement its recommendations but also institute the governing board of the intervention agency without further delay T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS

TIGRAY AND THE SENSELESS CONFLICTS IN AFRICA ,W LV LQGHHG WHOOLQJ WKDW LW WRRN WKH LQWHUYHQWLRQ RI IRU mer Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo as the African Union High Representative to the Horn of Africa to EULQJ WR D KDOW WKH FRQÁ LFWV LQ WKH 7LJUD\ UHJLRQ RI (WKL RSLD DQG EURNHU ZKDW OLWWOH SHDFH WKHUH LV HYHQ LI KLVWRU\ suggests it may turn out to be a peace of the graveyard.

It is not for nothing that till this day Africa is being UHIHUUHG WR DV CWKH GDUN FRQWLQHQW · 7KLV GHQRWDWLRQ PD\ DV ZHOO KDUERXU PDQ\ KXHV RI UDFLVP EXW UHPRYHG IURP the brush and tar of bias, there are many man-made IDFWRUV WKDW FRQWLQXH WR FDXVH GDUNQHVV WR HPLW IURP WKH heart of Africa.

7KDW D FRQWLQHQW RI VXFK VWDJJHULQJ ULFKHV FRQWLQXHV WR SOD\ VHFRQG À GGOH WR OHVV JLIWHG FRQWLQHQWV VFDQGDORXVO\ LQGLFW DOO WKRVH ZKR KDYH PDQDJHG DQG WRGD\ FRQWLQXH WR PDQDJH WKH FRXQWULHV WKDW PDNH XS $IULFD DQG KDYH FRQWULEXWHG WR WKH KHDUWEUHDNLQJ VXͿ HULQJ RI LWV ZRPHQ and children.

Africa is the second largest and second most populous continent. It also has a large population of very young

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LAWYER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

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Naira Redesign: Economic or Political Expediency?

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Supreme Court’s Original Jurisdiction in Disputes between the President and National Assembly

c i m o n o c E : n g i s e Naira Red ? y c n e i d e p x E l a or Politic

CBN Governor, le Godwin Emefie

JI ADELEKE

Page IV

QUOTABLE

‘I am an Economist. I can tell you categorically that, this policy by the Federal Government/CBN has no basis in Economics. …When you decide to change your currency in such a roughshod manner 30 days before an election, all you can adduce is that it is purely political.’ - Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, Federal Republic of Nigeria

COLUMNIST DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, CON, SAN, FCIARE, PH.D. LLD Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances.

This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour.

The writer of this column, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria’s pioneer human rights league, on October 15, 1987, the Universal defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Dr. Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

LAWYER

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERS

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Criticism, Defamation and Information Management Government’s Reaction to Criticism & Defamation of Character he reaction of members of the Buhari administration when their government is criticised for bad acts or omissions, reminds one of the reaction of those who claim that they have been slandered, libelled and their characters defamed - reactions of defensiveness, anger and indignation, of being victimised, lied upon and denigrated for no reason whatsoever.

While Black's Law Dictionary 7th Edition defines "Defamation" as "the act of harming the reputation of another by making a false statement to a third person", in Oruwari v Osler 2013 5 N.W.L.R. Part 1348 Page 535 at 556 per Chukwuma-Eneh JSC, the Supreme court held thus: "Defamation as a tort, whether as libel or slander, has been judicially defined to encompass imputation which tends to lower a person defamed in the estimation of right thinking members of society generally, and thus, expose the person so disparaged (the Plaintiff) to hatred, opprobrium, odium, contempt or ridicule". Also see Edem v Orpheo (Nig.) Ltd 2003 13 N.W.L.R. Part 838 Page 537 at 558 per Iguh JSC. But, in the case of many of the statements made about the government of the day, though they may have the resultant effect of tending to bring Government into hatred, opprobrium, odium, contempt and ridicule, the question is whether some of the statements are not unfounded, some of them even true. If the Nigerian Government was the Plaintiff in a matter in which it claims to have been libelled, would they be able to succeed in their action?

The Defendant would obviously be the one, who has uttered the defamatory statement.

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Slander & Libel The distinction between slander and libel was made in Oruwari v Osler (Supra). While slander is a false and defamatory statement about the Plaintiff, conveyed to a third party in a non-permanent form like spoken words, Libel is required to be in a permanent form, like in form of a written publication about the Plaintiff, without any lawful justification, to a third party.

Falsehood: A Common Element in Slander & Libel The question is that, if Government decided to sue many of their critics for slander or libel, would they be able to prove their case? The first element that is common to slander and libel is that, whatever is uttered against the Plaintiff, should be a falsehood. Take for example this burning issue of insecurity (see Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution) - the fact that these days, there’s no guarantee that one can travel from Lagos to Ibadan by road and reach there safely; or that there’s no guarantee that one can travel from Abuja to Kaduna by train or by road, and reach there safely; or that people are no longer safe on their farms - in these three instances, Commuters and Farmers may be robbed, killed or kidnapped en route or on their farms. And, while so far, there has only been one unfortunate train incident (Kaduna train attack of 28/3/22), we have lost count of the number of highway attacks/kidnappings, and the violent incidents involving farmers and herders/unknown attackers.

So, if a Defendant states, whether in permanent (libel) or non-permanent (slander) form, that Nigeria is insecure, or that it has become less secure than it was 12 years ago, would this be engaging in falsehood? I think not. On the contrary, it would be stating the obvious. If then, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed aka Mr ‘De-marketing Nigeria’ decides that an action must be instituted against a Defendant who has uttered what he/Government considers defamatory against the country by shouting from every rooftop and publishing in print media that Nigeria is unsafe, the Plaintiff, in this case, the Nigerian Government, whose burden it is to prove the defamation, will be unable to discharge this burden satisfactorily, as the first element of falsehood cannot be proven as far as the allegations of insecurity in Nigeria is concerned.

Proof of Damages Generally, slander is actionable on proof of damages; but, there are exceptions in which it is actionable ‘per se’ - that is, without proof of damages. Exceptions include where there’s an imputation that the Plaintiff committed a crime punishable by death or imprisonment,

Appeal stated that Fair Comments are simply opinions expressed on matters of public interest, such as criticism of government and its functionaries; and for it to be a viable defence, the Defendant must ensure that the facts are correctly and fairly stated, based on truth. The defence of fair comment, is not is not available to a Defendant whose comments are based on falsehood.

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The

Advocate

Qualified Privilege In Akomolafe v Guardian Press Ltd 2004 (Supra) the Court of Appeal explained the meaning of another defence to defamation, that is, Qualified Privilege. The Latin maxim, “Salus populi suprema lex esto” - that the welfare of the people is the supreme law, is relevant here. When a false and defamatory statement about a Plaintiff is published to the public, for instance, in the course of a social duty like that of a newspaper whose duty is to disseminate News to the public, “the law recognises as having a corresponding interest to receive it from the Defendant that has a standing duty to publish it in account of public policy; such a Defendant cannot incur any legal liability, so long as the publication has not been actuated by malice”. The Court went on to explain that the qualified privilege is one in which a person has an interest or duty, legal, social or moral to make the statement to whom it is made to, while the person to whom it is made has a corresponding interest or duty to receive it.

It therefore behoves the Plaintiff, to prove the falsehood of the statement and the malice that actuated it, to debunk the Defendant’s defence the offensive words should be published of of qualified privilege. the Plaintiff. However, it is not necessary that the Plaintiff be mentioned by name. In Case Review: In the Matter of the #EndSARS S.B. Dalumo v The Sketch Publishing Lekki Tollgate Incident, Nigeria v CNN Co. Ltd 1972 5 S.C. Page 308 at 309 While it is not out of place to agree that first per Fatai-Williams JSC (later CJN), world governments care mostly about their the Supreme Court held that the test is: own selfish interests and the benefits that their “Are the words used, such as reasonably countries can derive from less developed countries in the circumstances would lead persons like those in Africa, could all three defences who know the Plaintiff, to believe that to defamation, for example, avail CNN for its he was the person referred to”. statement that the Nigerian Army fired live bullets during the 2020 #EndSARS Lekki Tollgate Defences to Defamation: incident? Yes, I think so. In a case of libel, the The three main defences to the tort of Nigerian Government as the Plaintiff, the case defamation, are Justification (Truth), Fair against CNN would most likely have failed.

Comments and Qualified Privilege.

It is true that CNN’s statement undoubtedly exposed the Nigerian Army/Government to Justification hatred and contempt, but was the backlash In using Justification as a defence, the self-inflicted by the latter because of their actions Defendant must prove the truth of all mate- of opening fire on unarmed youths that Black rial statements in the slander or libel. The Tuesday, October 20, 2020? Having initially truth is the answer to the action; it negates claimed that it was fake soldiers that went to malice, and shows that the Plaintiff has no the scene (disproved by Amnesty International’s right to recover damages. The onus is on vivid account of how the soldiers left their the Defendant, to prove that the statements Barracks in Victoria Island, and the route they are true. See the case of Ishaku v Aina travelled to the Lekki Tollgate), then grudgingly 2004 11 N.W.L.R. Part 883 Page 146 admitted that it was real soldiers who only fired at 169-170 per Adekeye JCA (as she blanks into the air; and subsequently, that they then was). In Ishaku v Aina (Supra), the took some live ammunition with them; CNN, Court of Appeal held thus: “Therefore, the who is the Defendant in this matter, discharged absolute truth of publication of words the burden of proving that its utterances were found to be defamatory, is the only true, by analysing and tracing the expended defence to the publication…..”. In fact, bullet casings from the bullets fired at the Tollgate if any part of the publication is untrue, to Serbia where the Nigerian Army regularly it may taint the truthful parts, and make purchased ammunition from 2005 - 2016. See the whole statement malicious. the case of Sterling Bank Plc v Falola 2015 5 N.W.L.R. Part 1453 Page 405 at 429 per Fair Comments Adamu Augie JCA (as she then was) on the In Akomolafe v Guardian Press Ltd definition of burden of proof. The burden of 2004 1 N.W.L.R. Part 853 Page 1 at proof which doesn’t remain static, then shifted 17-18 per Aderemi JCA, the Court of to Nigeria who failed to disprove CNN’s socalled ‘defamatory’ de-marketing utterances.

See Soki v Kpongbo 2008 7 N.W.L.R. Part 1086 Page 342 and Sections 135-137 of the Evidence Act 2011 on the burden of proof, on which party it lies, and how it shifts from one party to the other.

In this scenario, it seems that CNN would be able to plead Justification, Qualified Privilege and Fair Comment, while Nigeria would not be entitled to any damages for defamation of character.

“…..could all three defences to defamation, for example, avail CNN for its statement that the Nigerian Army fired live bullets during the 2020 #EndSARS Lekki Tollgate incident?

Yes, I think so. In a case of libel, the Nigerian Government as the Plaintiff, the case against CNN would most likely have failed” or when the words can injure the Plaintiff in his profession or trade.

For example, where a rival food seller maliciously disseminates a false rumour that her competitor uses human flesh or dog meat instead of cow or goat meat to cook her stews, in order to divert customers from there to her own canteen.

Naturally, true or false, most right thinking people will desist from patronising such a maligned food seller. And, while certain words uttered in the heat of an argument may not be actionable, no further proof of damage would be necessary in the case of imputation that a food seller uses human/ dog meat, as it would probably lead to a boycott of the food and not only ultimate ruination of the business, but destruction of the food seller’s reputation, seeing as most reasonable people would find such a practice repugnant, and be unwilling to give such a person the benefit of the doubt.

In this case, such imputation will certainly pass the test of being defamatory as (1) it is false; (2) it lowers the food seller in the estimation of right thinking people; (3) it exposes the food seller to hatred, odium and ridicule; (4) it would definitely cause people to shun him/her and avoid his/ her restaurant; (5) it would discredit him/ her business; (6) it would injure his/her finances, because of loss of business for one (6) it would destroy his/her reputation. See Olaniyi v Elero 2007 8 N.W.L.R. Part 1037 Page 517 at 527 per Okoro JCA (as he then was); Adeyemo v Akintola 2004 12 N.W.L.R. Part 887 Page 390.

Defamatory Words Must be About the Plaintiff It is trite law that in an action for defamation,

Conclusion While most governments do not particularly take kindly to criticism, even if it is constructive, this present dispensation takes the cake in abhorring it, discountenancing useful comments, quickly labelling them as defamatory hate speech against the Government, and running down the country. But, the truth is that, Government has contributed in no small measure by its actions and omissions, to the contents which have set the stage for these so-called defamatory utterances which are usually more true than false.

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Supreme Court’s Original Jurisdiction in Disputes between the President and National Assembly Facts The Electoral Act 2022 took effect on 25th February, 2022, when the same was assented to by the 1st Plaintiff. On 19th April, 2022, after participating in making the Electoral Act 2022, the 1st Plaintiff sought to have Section 84(12) of the Act removed or deleted on the ground that while giving his assent, he had entered a caveat expressing reservations about the constitutionality and desirability of the said Section 84(12) and followed same by writing a letter to the 1st Defendant requesting it to cause the Electoral Act 2022 to be amended to delete the said Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act. Following the refusal of the 1st Defendant to grant the request, the Plaintiffs filed an Originating Summons at the Supreme Court, invoking the original jurisdiction of the court, to determine various questions regarding the consistency or otherwise of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). In their subsequently Amended Originating Summons, the Plaintiffs sought inter alia, a Declaration that Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 disqualifying a political appointee from being a voting delegate, or being voted for at a convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election is discriminatory and inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, and hence, null and void by reason of its inconsistency. They sought an order nullifying the provisions of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 by application of the blue pencil rule, on the ground that it is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void, and was made in excess of the legislative powers of the 1st Defendant as enshrined in Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution.

On its part, the 1st Defendant filed a CounterAffidavit and a written address in opposition to the Amended Originating Summons. The 1st Defendant also filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection, challenging the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the Apex Court to entertain the suit.

Also, in opposition to the Amended Originating Summons, the 2nd and 3rd Defendant filed a Counter-Affidavit and written address. They also filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection, challenging the competence of the Amended Originating Summons.

Among the grounds of the Defendants’ Preliminary Objections, was that the suit did not disclose or raise the existence of any dispute between the 1st Plaintiff and the National Assembly that could warrant the invocation of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Section 1(1)(a) of the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act, 2002. Another ground of their objection was that the 1st Plaintiff, having assented to the Electoral Act 2022, is thus, estopped from attempting to use the machinery of the court to undo what he had done by virtue of constitutional powers.

Based on the extant Rules of Court which made it incumbent on the court to first deal with Preliminary Objections before proceeding to determine the suit on the merits, if at all necessary, the Apex Court proceeded to first consider the Defendants’ Preliminary Objections.

Issue for Determination The following sole issue was considered by the Supreme Court, in its determination of the objections raised by the Defendants: Whether the suit as constituted falls within the ambit of Section 232(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as Section 1(1)(a) of the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act 2002.

Arguments Respective senior counsel for the Defendants argued similarly that, Section 1(1)(a) of the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act, 2002 only permits the invocation of the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, where there is a dispute between the President and the National Assembly which involves any question of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends. Counsel contended that

Honourable Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 24th Day of June, 2022 Before Their Lordships Musa Dattijo Muhammad John Inyang Okoro Amina Adamu Augie Mohammed Lawal Garba Abdu Aboki Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Emmanuel Akomaye Agim Justices, Supreme Court SC/CV/504/2022 Between 1. THE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 2. ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION

PLAINTIFFS

And 1. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 2. THE SPEAKER, RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY 3. ATTORNEY-GENERAL, RIVERS STATE (Joined pursuant to Order of Court on 19/05/2022)

DEFENDANTS

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC)

the suit as constituted did not disclose or demonstrate the existence of any legal rights of the Plaintiffs that had been violated or that is in danger of being violated by the 1st Defendant, or any cognisable dispute between the National Assembly and the office of the President which could warrant the invocation of the jurisdiction of the court.

They submitted that the issues raised and reliefs sought in the 1st Plaintiff’s Originating Summons are centred on the legal and fundamental right of the political appointees to vote and be voted for, and not any legal right accruing to the office of the 1st Plaintiff in any material particular.

They argued further that, the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court cannot be invoked to amend any law validly made by the National Assembly in the exercise of the legislative powers granted to it by the Constitution. They contended further that the proper parties in any action where the original jurisdiction of the Apex Court can be invoked, are persons listed in Section

“….. the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court can only be activated by either of the parties named in the cited provisions, where the dispute involves any question, whether of law or fact, on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends”

232(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended as well as Section 1(1)(a) of the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act, 2002, and the parties as constituted especially the 2nd Plaintiff are not among the persons listed, and so, cannot invoke the original jurisdiction of the court.

Conversely, senior counsel for the Plaintiffs submitted that there is indeed a dispute between the Plaintiffs and the 1st Defendant, as well as a reasonable cause of action in the suit which is the constitutionality or otherwise of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022, that the Supreme Court can validly assume its original jurisdiction to entertain and determine, to the exclusion of any other court. Relying on A-G BENDEL STATE vs A-G FEDERATION (1981) 10 SC 1, counsel for the Plaintiffs argued that the assent by the President to the Bill, cannot prevent the Court from declaring the Act a nullity, where applicable.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In determining the objections, the Supreme Court first considered the ground of the objections that the 1st Plaintiff cannot challenge the constitutionality of the Electoral Act 2022, having participated in making the Act. On this point, the Apex Court held that the President of Nigeria cannot invoke the judicial process to challenge the constitutionality, validity, correctness, desirability, justification of an Act of the National Assembly that he participated

in making. Their Lordships held that the role of the 1st Plaintiff in making an Act of the National Assembly pursuant to Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, consists of his signification that he assents or that he withholds assent to the Bill, when both Houses of the National Assembly have passed the Bill and reached an agreement on any amendment made on it and presented it to the 1st Plaintiff for assent. The Constitution did not provide for the involvement of the court by the 1st Plaintiff, after he has exercised his power under Section 58(4) of the Constitution one way or the other.

The Court held further that the 1st Plaintiff’s role in the law making process ceases after his signification of his assent or withholding his assent, and the only role the Constitution assigns to him after the law is made is to comply with it or enforce it. There is no room for him to exploit the power given to the courts to review the exercise of legislative powers by the National Assembly, a role he had exercised by virtue of Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution before the Bill became law, especially having consented to what the two Houses did by his assent. Also, his assent to the enactment of the Electoral Act 2022, operates to estop him from challenging the Act as invalid for any reason.

Having determined the first ground of the objections, the court proceeded to consider the ground of objection that the Supreme Court lacks the jurisdiction to determine the suit because there is no basis for the invocation of its judicial powers. The Court reproduced the provisions of Section 232(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which vests the Supreme Court with original jurisdiction in disputes between the Federation and a State or between States. The court reproduced the provision of Section 1(1) (a) of the Supreme Court (Additional Original Jurisdiction) Act 2002, which provided, in addition to the original jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court by Section 232(1) of the Constitution , that the Supreme Court would have original jurisdiction in any dispute between (a) the National Assembly and the President; (b) the National Assembly and any State House of Assembly; and (c) the National Assembly and the State, so long as that dispute involves any question of law or fact which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

Relying on the foregoing provisions and the decision in A-G FEDERATION v A-G LAGOS STATE (2017) LPELR – 42679 (SC), their Lordships held that the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court can only be activated by either of the parties named in the cited provisions, where the dispute involves any question, whether of law or fact, on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends. It does not extend to cover a situation that has no nexus with the civil rights and obligations of the Plaintiffs - A-G BENDEL STATE v A-G FRN & ORS. (1981) LPELR-605 (SC). It is glaring from the depositions in the affidavit in support of the Plaintiffs’ Originating Summons and the questions for determination and reliefs claimed for, that the suit was not brought for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of any of the Plaintiffs. It was not a personal suit of any of them to seek personal redress in respect of their personal rights and obligations, but one brought in their official capacities purportedly to safeguard and preserve our democracy and the rule of law.

The Plaintiffs, who are not political appointees, have no legally enforceable right or justiciable dispute in relation to the questions raised for determination in the Originating Summons, that can be entertained by the Supreme Court in exercise of its additional original jurisdiction under Section 1(1)(a) of the Supreme Court (Additional Jurisdiction) Act, 2002.

Suit Struck-out.

Representation L.O. Fagbemi, SAN with others for the Plaintiffs.

Dr Olukayode Ajulo with others for the 1st Defendant.

Emmanuel C. Ukala SAN and C. O. Njemanze, SAN with others for the 2nd and 3rd Defendant.

Dr Charles Mekwunye, SAN with others for NBA (Party interested and seeking to be joined) Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

V

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Ethics and Discipline in Law: Akin to Waiting for Godot (Part 1)

Introduction he place of ethics and discipline, cannot be over-looked and/or overemphasised in law. For legal practitioners, ethics and discipline are two very sharp blades employed to order the seamless practices of Lawyers, cutting–off certain unbecoming practices with high proclivity to dent, soil and/or make mockery of the very hallowed echelon of the legal profession particularly in Nigeria and generally in the globe.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is the non-profit, umbrella professional association of all Lawyers admitted to the Bar in Nigeria, and a member of all statutory bodies that regulate the Nigerian Bar and Bench.

The NBA is Nigeria’s foremost and oldest professional membership organisation, and Africa's most influential network of legal practitioners, with over 120,000 Lawyers on its roll in 125 active branches across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It is organised into three practice Sections, eleven Fora, and two Institutes, all supported by one National Secretariat.

The NBA is engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law and good governance in Nigeria.

It has an observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, and a working partnership with many national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations concerned with human rights, the rule of law and good governance in Nigeria and across the world.

The NBA offers a unique National platform, that is not available to any other civil or professional organisation in Nigeria.

It has been said that the more, the merrier.

There is undeniable truth in that. However, we should not lose sight of the danger inherent in having a Bar as large as that. Evidently, we are now witnessing drastic decline in the standard of the legal profession. Many Lawyers now take-up matters they are not versed in. Some file frivolous claims and even get involved in unethical practices, to eke out a living. The NBA is trying its best to get things right by ensuring that Lawyers take part in continuous mandatory education.

Its greatest challenge has been enforcement.

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), is inundated with a handful of complaints of misconduct against legal practitioners. One would have thought that the very coercive and firm reprimand of many legal practitioners involved in the act, would have deterred others from the unbecoming practices. The reverse, however, is the case.

T

Misconduct Misconduct in the legal profession, is not the exclusive preserve of the young or inexperienced Lawyers. Even Silks and a few other members of the inner Bar, have been caught and reprimanded. We have had cases where SANs and a few other renowned legal amazons were sanctioned by the Supreme for re-litigating a matter for which the Court was already functus officio.

So, we cannot attribute misconduct to wholly poor/lack of mentorship and get-rich-quick syndrome. Misconduct is a societal issue.

Unlike what obtains in England and Scotland, the Nigerian legal profession is a fusion of both Solicitors and Barristers. The profession has had a chequered development, through the colonial period up to the evolution of the modern legal profession. The legal profession being a noble profession, it is characterised by great discipline and strict adherence to professional rules and the need to keep practitioners, especially errant ones, in check; that is the only way the nobility of the profession built and sustained on reputation, character and integrity can be maintained.

The Bench The legal profession in Nigeria consists of the Bar and the Bench. It is from the Bar, that one gets to the Bench. The Bench is not a saint either. The essence of setting up National Judicial Council (NJC), is to protect the integrity and sanctity of the Judiciary. We have seen many conflicting judgements of courts in Nigeria. Forum shopping is now a new terminology in the Nigerian Judiciary. NJC, like the LPDC, is equally inundated with complaints against judicial officers. A few years ago, Samuel Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, CJN, was indicted for corruption. Some months ago, fourteen Justices of the Supreme Court accused Onnoghen’s successor, Tanko Muhammad, of corruption. It is obvious the standard has fallen. Some advocates now serve the cause of their clients, to the detriment of the cause of justice. Some Judges now sacrifice justice, and entrench impunity through ex-parte orders. Cases are now mostly decided on the grounds of technicalities; tender neck of justice is now un-meritoriously gashed on the very filthy altar of technicalities. Where then is ethics and discipline? Are they now in abeyance? Should we continue waiting for them as Vladimir and Estragon did in waiting for Godot?

Rules for Conduct People resort to various kinds of rules, to guide their lives. This may either be moral or ethical rule. Moral rules and ethics remind us that it is immoral or wrong to covet, tell lies or engage in any activity which we have pledged not to engage in. Every society may well disapprove the transgression of these moral or ethical precepts. Over the last decade also, societal interest in the ethical aspect of legal profession has been on the increase. The question of protection of the individual client, fellow professional Lawyers, courts and the legal profession on itself, becomes paramount. There has been lately, a significant increase in the frequency with which litigants have written petitions against Lawyers and Judges, and in the case of Lawyers, with a view to suing them.

“The Bench is not a saint either.… NJC, like the LPDC, is equally inundated with complaints against judicial officers”

Professional misconduct tends to have profound effect, upon the way in which law is practiced by Lawyers. The Legal Practitioners Act assigns to the Bar Council the responsibility amongst others to: “...Prepare, and from time to time revise, a statement as to the kind of conduct which the Council considers to be infamous conduct in a professional respect...”.

It must be stated however, that since time immemorial, man has been struggling to make the world a better place to live in. Man has defined a better place to live in, as a society that is free and just. Consequently, people have tried to implement rules and regulations that will make society as free and just as possible.

On top, restrictions have been reduced with regard to trading between different countries, in a move that is aimed at making life fair.

However, life is about relationships between people, and not about trade or political endeavours. Therefore, it is upon human beings to make life bearable to them and to others in the society. A free and just society, requires upholding of moral values and ethical standards. In this regard, there are some moral values and ethical standards which are considered as being crucial in sustaining a free and just society.

It is the responsibility of people to make the society what they want it to be. Institutions are present, but they cannot change human behaviour. As a result, self responsibility is an important virtue in ensuring that society is bearable to live in. In this regard, people should be responsible for their own actions and the way they behave in the society; that is where discipline comes to play.

No institution can work in the world, except when everybody is self responsible.

We can have rules and regulations in place, schools, the government and free trade, but all these can only help in advancing human life, only if human beings uphold the value of self responsibility and discipline. Justice can only prevail if human beings assume responsibility for their actions, and make life good for themselves and others.

Religion and Belief in a Supernatural Being On the other hand, the belief in a supernatural being enhances the moral uprightness of human beings. Besides the materialistic needs, human beings need to

satisfy their spiritual and psychological needs.

Religious teachings help in regulating human behaviour to conform to the requirements of the society. Research has shown that, spiritual conformity ensures that rationalism is maintained in all aspects of human life.

When people believe in God, they tend to be realistic in life and truth becomes part of their nature. These people will treat others fairly, which makes society free for everybody.

Furthermore, self responsibility is enhanced when one is spiritually upright. It should be noted that religiosity enhances objectivity, logic and above all, ensures that people resolve their differences amicably.

Moreover, spiritual teaching has been known to soften people’s hearts which reduces the tendency of people to be violent to one another. As a result, people who believe in the existence of God are less likely to offend others. Consequently, the belief in supernatural being will help in making society a free and just place to stay.

Justice is also another crucial value, in making society free and impartial. Society is made up of people, and it is how these people relate with each other that matters.

As a result, society cannot be fair if people cannot treat all those around them equally.

If each person treats one another fairly and without discrimination, society as a whole will be fair. Moreover, society does not have the ability of possessing behaviour.

It is the collective behaviour of members that makes up what is considered behaviour of society. Furthermore, it is human that people will accord others the treatment they themselves are accorded. As a result, when all people exercise justice to others in society, even those with the tendency of being unfair find no reason of treating others unjustly.

For society to be free and fair, lies, misguidance and other misleading behaviour must be eliminated. Each member of society should ensure that all that he or she says is true. In society where truth prevails, everybody has equal opportunity of advancing. Therefore, the virtues of being honest, ethical, discipline are very crucial in any society.

People will be very hesitant of anything in a society where honesty, ethical standards and discipline are not upheld. Moreover, in the absence of honesty, considerable ethical standards and discipline, freedom of people in society will be limited, suppressed and repressed, catalysing into reprisals, rebellion and deviance. It will be difficult to get any correct information in a society where people are rarely honest, unethical and un-disciplined in whatever they do or say.

Moreover, it should be noted that justice goes hand in hand with truthfulness. One cannot claim to be treating others justly, if the person is not honest. Honest people will neither lie to others, nor defraud them.

Most importantly, respect for the rule of law is the crux of sustaining a free and fair society. If everybody chooses to behave in a manner that is best to his personal interests while disregarding others’ rights, society will be chaotic. It is the moral obligation of members of society, to respect the institutions that are in place.

Without law, people can do anything and go unquestioned by anybody. Therefore, in a free and just society, rule of law must prevail and guide the behaviour of people. The poor have to be protected from the rich in the society, otherwise they will be mistreated.

People will be confident in places, where they know that they are protected by the law. Therefore, it should be noted that unless people take the responsibility of making society free and just, all other efforts will be futile.

The observance and practice of societal and individual ethical standards and discipline in law, ensures attainment of an egalitarian society. But, the ultimate question which this Article seeks to answer is: How realistic is the attainment of an ideal society by observance of ethical standards and discipline in law? Is it not like waiting for Godot? (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do, and what is right to do”. (Potter Stewart)

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

IMAGES

F

rom October 30 to November 4, it was a gathering of thousands of Lawyers from different countries of the world, who converged in Miami, Florida, USA for the International Bar Association Annual Conference 2022. As usual, Nigeria was well represented there. Here are some of the personalities who attended the Conference…..

IBA President, Mr Sternford Moyo

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy making a video address to Lawyers at the IBA Conference

Sternford Moyo (left) & Toyin Pinheiro, SAN

L-R: Immediate Past Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, SAN; an Italian Conferee and NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN

L-R: Adebayo Adelodun; former NBA General Secretary, Rafiu Lawal-Rabana, SAN; former Lagos State Attorney-General, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN; and Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN

Former IBA President & Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton, David Rivkin (left) and Olumide Akpata

Former NBA General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah and Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN

L-R: JK Gadzama, SAN; Wangoko Njoroge (Kenya); Jibrin Okutepa, SAN; Emeka Ngige, SAN; and Felix Ologbonyo

Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (left) and Adam Adedimeji

Dele Ogun (right) presenting book authored by him to Mr Moyo

VII IMAGES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

L-R: JK Gadzama; Conferee; Prof Isa Chiroma, SAN; Emeka Ngige, SAN; Joyce Oduah; and Lamar Joe-Gadzama

L-R: Immediate Past President of NBA, Olumide Akpata, Okey Akobundu; and NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN

Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Justice Kate Abiri (left) and Yakubu Maikyau, SAN Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN (left) and Yakubu Maikyau, SAN

L-R: Former NBA Welfare Secretary, Gani Ajape; Olumide Akpata; and Chris Uche, SAN Musa Kuttu, SAN

L-R: Emeka Ngige, SAN; Attorney-General of Lagos State, Moyo Onigbanjo, SAN; and former NBA Assistant Secretary, Chinwe Joy Obi-Nwadike

Veteran of IBA & Former President, Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto addressing a Lunch Meeting of the African Regional Bar Forum

Olawale Fapohunda, SAN (middle, rear) and Conferees at the Session on Pro Bono in Africa

Dorothy Ufot, SAN (4th left) and other Nigerian Conferees during the Nigerian Night event

Former NBA Treasurer and Registrar, Institute of Chartered of Mediators and Conciliators, Aisha Ado Abdullahi

Vice President, Fiji Law Society, Ms Wati Seeto (left) and Adam Adedimeji

Director General of Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Chiroma, SAN

VIII COVER

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Naira Redesign: Economic or Political Expediency?

By December 15, 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will introduce the new redesigned Naira notes in denominations of 200, 500 and 1,000. Amidst speculations over what the real intent of Government is, there is the ongoing bickering between the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele and the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed. Dr Sam Amadi, Jide Ojo, Jefferson Uwoghiren and Emeka Ejikonye interrogate the issues surrounding the exercise, including its import and the cost of printing the new notes Economic and Legal Issues on the Redesign of the Naira Dr Sam Amadi and Victor Opatola Background ecently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a statement that it has concluded plans to redesign the Naira. The CBN Governor cited money hoarding, inflation, and counterfeiting as major reasons for its unusual decision.

The CBN claims that about N2.73 trillion of the N3.23 trillion currency in circulation in Nigeria, is outside the bank vaults. This is about 85% of the total money in circulation.

Also, the Naira is not as secured as it ought to be, as it is easier to counterfeit theN500 and N1000 denominations.

This policy has elicited serious debate amongst Economists, Lawyers, and other policy experts.

Many of them hold the view that this policy change holds no significant economic benefits for the people, and is a distraction in the midst of serious economic crises buffeting. The Minister of Finance, appearing before the National Assembly, disowned the policy and slammed it as valueless in fiscal and monetary terms. But, the President has reaffirmed his approval of the policy and its benefits, as a tool to control inflation and fight corruption. The question is whether this policy is the right policy at this time, considering its costs and benefits.

R

Costs and Benefits Analysis of the Policy The CBN regulates monetary policy. It is a quintessential regulatory agency. The benchmark

for regulatory decisions like it is proposing with regard to the redesigning of the currency, is that the regulator can only act if the benefits of the proposed policy are more than the costs. A good cost-benefit analysis will include social and political costs and benefits, not just financial and commercial costs and benefits.

We should note that, money plays a crucial role in a country's economy. It determines such things as the general price levels, aggregate national income, production and productivity, labour and capital employment levels, exchange rates. and the balance of payments.

It is agreed that redesigning currencies could curb counterfeiting, especially where the existing design is very worn and its security can be easily bypassed. It is also a fact that, redesigning and printing of new currencies will cost billions of Naira of public funds. CBN should show through credible statistics, the percentage of counterfeit to each Naira, to warrant this design and printing of new Naira. The CBN in its most recent report, 2020 Currency Report, states that a total of 67,265 pieces of counterfeit notes with a nominal value of N56.83 million was confiscated in 2020, indicating a 20.80% decrease in volume and 12.18% decrease in value, compared with 84,934 pieces valued at N64.71 million in 2019. The Global standard for number of counterfeits per million, is 100. The ratio of counterfeit notes to volume of banknotes in circulation was 13 pieces per million in 2020, compared to 20 pieces per million banknotes in 2019. This shows that the issue

“The CBN should scrutinise its many ruinous policies that led to this inflation, such as it's increased penchant to print money for the Federal Government, it's direct financing of Nigeria's budget and violating the CBN Act by exceeding the 5% stipulation of ways and means Law, and printing money for State allocations. The currency redesign exercise is not costless, neither is it cheap”

of currency counterfeit, is not as rampant as to warrant a currency redesign.

The CBN claims that it is also redesigning the Naira, due to hoarding. This claim should be scrutinised because, currently, Naira-Dollar devaluation is so high CBN has to employ artificial valuation. Between 2021 and 2022, Naira has been devalued at least three times, and with the look of things, there is a likelihood of further devaluation, coupled with an increasing inflation rate, which means that the purchasing power of Naira is weakened. It makes little economic logic that a currency whose value is highly decreasing is being massively hoarded, as claimed by CBN. Those who have the capacity to hoard such huge amounts are the political class, and would also have had the capacity to convert it to Dollars. The conversion argument further makes the claim of the CBN Governor, that a redesign in currency will hamper ransom payment, not altogether convincing. Naira redesign in itself will not remedy rising inflation in this country, especially given the fact that this policy has no way to appreciate the value of Naira in the real sense. It could actually increase inflation, as those with loads of Naira unlawfully acquired could launder them through luxury purchases, or forex transactions that could inflate the economy.

The CBN should scrutinise its many ruinous policies that led to this inflation, such as it's increased penchant to print money for the Federal Government, it's direct financing of Nigeria's budget and violating the CBN Act by exceeding the 5% stipulation of ways and means Law, and printing money for State allocations. The currency redesign exercise is not costless, neither is it cheap. It will cost billions and billions of taxpayers Naira. The redesigning, the logistics, and printing will not be cheap.

In these days of dwindling revenue, high budget deficit, and high debt rate; the money that will fund this is not cheap. According to CBN report, the total cost incurred on printing of banknotes in 2020 amounted to N58,618.50 million; this is the amount of

printing an existing design; now let's imagine the cost of printing a redesign and it's logistics.

So, we need a prudency and relevance test to show, through reasonably justifiable and verifiable means, that this is an efficient and effective policy.

The Power of CBN to Make this Monetary Policy Decision By virtue of the CBN Act, the Central Bank is designed to be independent and non-partisan in monetary policy management. There is a big debate about whether the Central Bank should be yoked to the government, in view of the importance of monetary policy to strategic economic development. The Free Market (FM) argues in support of a monetary policy institution, totally free from the control of partisan politicians. The Governed Market model (GM) wants monetary policy to be subordinated to strategic economic policy choices of elected officials. Nigeria chose the FM model, and wrote it into the CBN Act. It gives the Board of Governors the power to make monetary policy, without the control of elected or appointed partisan political officials. It is good to note that, the only stipulation of the CBN Act on the design of Naira is the mandatory approval of the President under Section 19.

There is no legal burden on CBN to inform or get the approval of the Ministry of Finance.

But, for the purpose of economic coherence, the decision and approval of the President ought to be mentioned at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, because as much as it is the redesigning of the currency is a CBN role, the decision to redesign the currency forms part of the Federal Government's monetary policy and will have far-reaching economic and social impacts. The lack of government-wide communication, betrays a dysfunctionality of the Buhari administration Section 20 of the CBN Act empowers the Bank to call in any of it's currency upon payment of face value upon reasonable notice, while Section 18(d) empowers the Bank to destroy such currencies withdrawn from circulation.

The role of Banks in the transition is shown in Section 19. Banks are mandated to deal only in legal tenders. Their role is that of exchange, and facilitation of payment in exchange of value.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Naira Redesign: Economic or Political Expediency?

Case on Arabic Inscription on Naira note The fact that the Naira bears an Arabic inscription has become a contentious issue, in view of Nigeria’s religious pluralism. The point is that Arabic is the language of Islam, and therefore, that inscription “advances… religion in its principal or primary effect” and therefore, fosters “an excessive entanglement with religion”, as propounded by US Justice Blackman in Allegheny County v Greater Pittsburgh ACLU 109 U.S. 493 (1988), This decision was based on the disestablishment clause of the First Amendment to the US Constitution, that is similar to Section 10 of our Constitution.

This matter is now subject of a judicial determination in the case of Malcolm Omirhobo v CBN & 3 Ors FHC/L/CS/3/2020, In this case, a legal practitioner sued the CBN, the Federal Government, the Nigerian President and the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF), praying the court to declare as unlawful the provisions of Section 53(1) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), CAP B3, LFN, 2004, which absolves the Government and CBN of any legal action in connection to exercising their mandate of printing, issuing, supplying and circulating Naira notes bearing Arabic inscriptions as legal tender for a secular State that has English as its official language, and thereby, robbing the courts of jurisdiction to entertain such case.

"He wants the court to declare that by virtue of Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the Plaintiff’s action for the interpretation of Sections 10 and 55 of the 1999 Constitution, as they relate to the powers of the Defendants to issue legal tender with Arabic inscriptions.

The Plaintiff also wants the court to declare that the Constitution is supreme and a binding force on all the Defendants by virtue of Section 1(1).“Section 53(1) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, CAP B3, LFN, which ousts the jurisdiction of the court to entertain this suit, is inconsistent with the provisions of Section 6(6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which gives the plaintiff right to access the court for the interpretation of the Constitution and therefore, by virtue of Section 1(3) and 315 (3) of the Constitution, null and void to the extent of the inconsistency”, He relied on the true letters and spirit of Section 55 of the Constitution, Nigeria’s official language is English, as well as Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba in special circumstances.".

While this matter is still pending in court, it amounts to contempt of the court, for CBN to go ahead and print Arabic inscription on the Nigeria currency. In the case of IWUJI & ORS v GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE & ORS (2014) LPELR-22824(CA), the Court of Appeal held that: "it is trite law that once parties have submitted their disputes to the Court for determination, none of the parties is allowed to do any act or omission that would over-reach the interest of the other pending the determination of the suit, and if any of the parties does anything to the contrary, the Court has the inherent power to set aside such act which tends to ridicule the Court. Therefore, where a party is aware of a pending court process, and whether the Court has not given a specific injunctive order, parties are bound to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the court process. They should on no account, resort to self-help."

It is clear that once the court is seised of a matter, no party has the right to take the matter into his own hands. It is a reprehensible conduct for any party to an action or appeal pending in court, to proceed to take the law into his hands, without any specific order of the court, and to do any act which would preempt the result of the action.

Notwithstanding the merits of the arguments about the propriety of having Arabic inscriptions on the Naira, since a suit is pending before the court on this question, it will be a contempt of the Court if the CBN goes ahead to put Arabic inscription on the redesigned currency, as the Governor of the CBN reportedly assured before the determination of the case in court.

Dr Sam Amadi and Victor Opatola, Convener and Secretary of the Association of Law and Economics Studies (ALES) respectively Issues in the 2022 Redesigning of the Naira by CBN

Dr Sam Amadi

Jide Ojo Introduction On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at a media briefing, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele announced the redesigning of some of banknotes. He hinged the Apex Bank’s decision on the powers conferred on it by Section 2(b) of the CBN Act 2007. According to Emefiele, currency management by CBN has faced a number of challenges for some time now. This includes: Significant hoarding of banknotes by members of the public, with statistics showing that over 85% of currency in circulation are outside the vaults of commercial banks. At the end of September 2022, available data at the CBN indicate that N2.73 trillion out of the N3.23 trillion currency in circulation, was outside the vaults of Commercial Banks across the country; and supposedly held by the public. This, to my own mind, is indicative that Nigerians have not fully accepted the cashless policy of the Central Bank.

Other challenges are: Worsening shortage of clean and fit banknotes, with attendant negative perception of the CBN and increased risk to financial stability; Increasing ease and risk of counterfeiting, evidenced by several security reports.

Although global best practice is for central banks to redesign, produce and circulate new local legal tender every 5–8 years, our existing series of the Naira has not been redesigned in the last 20 years.

CBN believes that the redesign of the currency will help deepen our drive to entrench a cashless economy, as it will be complemented by increased minting of our eNaira. This will further rein in the currency outside the banking system into the banking system, thereby making monetary policy more efficacious.

Also, in view of the prevailing level of security situation in the country, the CBN is convinced that the incidents of terrorism and kidnapping would be minimised, as access to the large volume of money outside the banking system used as source of funds for ransom payments will begin to dry up.

Legal Backing In line with provisions of Sections 2(b), 18(a), and 19(a) and (b) of the CBN Act 2007, the Management of CBN has sought and obtained the approval of the President to redesign, produce, release and circulate new series of banknotes at N200, N500, and N1,000 levels. CBN

“The fact that the Naira bears an Arabic inscription has become a contentious issue, in view of Nigeria’s religious pluralism….While this matter is still pending in court, it amounts to contempt of court, for CBN to go ahead and print Arabic inscription on the Nigeria currency”

Jide Ojo

said it has finalised arrangements for the new currency to begin circulation from December 15, 2022, after its launch by President Muhammadu Buhari. The new and existing currencies shall remain legal tender and circulate together until January 31, 2023, when the existing currencies shall cease to be legal tender. For the purpose of this transition from existing to new notes, bank charges for cash deposits have been suspended.

Finance Minister Kicks Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has kicked against plans by CBN to redesign the Naira notes. She said the Ministry was not aware of the plans, and only knew about it through the media. She said this on Friday, October 28, 2022 when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance for the Ministry’s budget defence session. A former Deputy Governor of CBN, Kingsley Moghalu, has however, expressed his support for the Bank’s decision to redesign some of the country’s currency notes. He said the Bank does not need the permission of the Finance Ministry or any other agency of government, before making such a decision. Moghalu made the comment in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, October 30, 2022. Many are however, of the view that the CBN should have consulted the Finance Ministry, since both organisations are serving same government.

The Real Purpose and Intent of the Redesign Many financial experts are of the opinion that the rationale given for the redesigning of the country’s banknotes are both economic and political, although the CBN only dwelt on the economic reasons for the exercise. Many citizens have questioned the timing of the proposal which is on the eve of 2023 General Election. For instance, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has described the proposed plan by the Central Bank of Nigeria to redesign Naira notes as political, noting that the move is a ploy by the All Progressives Congress-led government to sway voters ahead of the 2023 general election.

Politically speaking, it is believed that many candidates and political parties who have kept humongous sums of the nation’s currency in fireproof vaults in their homes, in overhead and underground water storage tanks and on the farms, will be forced to bring such into the bank vaults to exchange for the new banknotes.

In the process, the banks will alert anticorruption agencies, such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, which is the central national agency responsible for the receipt of disclosures from reporting organisations such as banks. The agency will upon receipt of reports of the expected huge lodgements, go after such account owners to ask them about the source of the money, to establish that it is not proceeds of crime. It is also believed that

even if the deposited funds are not proceeds of money laundering or financial crimes, such depositors may not be able to withdraw such lump sum from their account on request.

There are fears that a policy may be issued to peg the amount of cash withdrawal any individual or corporate body can withdraw at a go, thereby forcing them to go cashless via electronic transfer of funds which will leave a trail of bank transactions which politicians who may want to indulge in vote-buying, will not like.

There are insinuations that, while opposition political parties and candidates may not be allowed to withdraw huge cash for the campaign expenses, candidates of the ruling APC may have unfettered access to the new banknotes. A case of double standard of the law being for the enemy, exemptions being for the friends.

Whether political or economic, there are fears that the criminals such as kidnappers, money launderers and the counterfeiters who may be the prime target of this redesigned notes are clever and smart, and may be able to circumvent being trapped. For instance, many of these economic saboteurs are alleged to be using their slush funds to buy real estate, exotic vehicles, jewellery and ornaments, with the hope of disposing these assets off after the new banknotes would have effectively been in circulation. Many others are converting their Naira into foreign currencies such as Dollar, Euros and British Pound Sterling.

The PUNCH newspaper of Thursday, November 3, 2022 reported that 87 Foreign Exchange dealers in Abuja and Lagos were arrested, with their phone seized by operatives of EFCC who carried out a raid on the Bureau De Change operators in the two cities. Though no reason had been given for the raids, the EFCC operation, it was gathered, was targeted at tracking illicit funds from terrorists, bandits and politicians who might want to convert their stash in a desperate move to beat the redesign of the Naira announced by the CBN. EFCC Chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa, has warned the forex dealers against serving as cash couriers for criminals. They have been ordered to ask for proper documentation of their clients under the Know Your Customer principle.

In spite of this clampdown on forex operators, not a few Nigerian are of the opinion that even bank officials may be the ones that will take advantage of this situation to make some cool cash for themselves, as they know the rules and also know how to cleverly circumvent and sabotage them. For instance, despite the Know Your Customer principle and mandatory Bank Verification Number, some influential Nigerians still find it easy to transact illegal businesses in banks, because of unscrupulous bank workers who aid and abet them.

Long and Short Term Impact on the Economy The short term impact of the proposed exercise on the economy has been unsavoury, with the Naira slumping against foreign currencies, especially the Dollar. It was gathered that last week, the Naira depreciated further against cont'd on page X

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COVER Naira Redesign: Economic or Political Expediency? cont'd from page IX

Dollar by exchanging for about N850 – 1$.

This is unprecedented! However, I am of the considered view that if there is no sabotage and the exercise is carried out patriotically, in the long run, CBN will achieve the noble objectives of the exercise.

Cost of the Redesign and its Desirability at this Point CBN has not, and is most unlikely, to disclose the cost of redesigning our banknotes. The speculation is that, the amount is humongous.

More so, as it may actually have been contracted to a foreign firm and not the Nigeria Printing and Minting Company, because of the high security features in the currencies in order to make it extremely difficult to be counterfeited.

Questions have also been asked, as to whether this printing job was captured in the CBN budget for 2022.

Arabic Inscription on the Naira Note It is noteworthy that, there is a pending suit against the CBN on the Arabic inscription on the Naira note. The Cable newspaper in a November 10, 2022 publication reported that the CBN has opposed a suit before the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking to remove Ajami (Arabic) inscriptions on the Naira notes. CBN told the court that it will cost a lot of money to discard existing notes, and print new ones without Ajami. It also said Ajami is not a symbol or mark of Islam, but an inscription to help non-English speakers who are Ajami literate. The Apex Bank made the submission in a counter-affidavit to a suit filed by Malcolm Omirhobo, a Lagos-based Lawyer, before Mohammed Liman, presiding Judge over the case. The redesigning of the Naira banknotes therefore, presents a golden opportunity to lay this controversy to rest by removing the Ajami inscriptions.

Conclusion I am of the considered view that there are inherent gains in the redesigning of the Naira bank notes, provided there is faithful implementation. However, there’s need for a lot of public enlightenment on this. There have been calls that 45 days is too short, for the exchange of old notes for new ones. There’s also the question of whether those who do not have bank accounts, could make over-the-counter exchange of old for new notes. Many rural dwellers have also raised concerns about the stress of having to go to their banks, which are far from where they reside.

Jide Ojo, Development Consultant, Author and Public Affairs Analyst Naira Redesign: Ill-Conceived Jefferson Uwoghiren Nothing best illustrates the tumbling precarious financial situation of this country. as the egregious decision of government to redesign our currency notes, amidst our unflattering image as a funny country where corrupt people often adopt the language of reform to confuse decision makers, donor agencies and poor helpless citizens.

In announcing this new financial policy recently, the CBN Governor placed reliance on Section 2(b), 18(a) and 19(a) & (b) of the C.B.N. Act, 2007, having claimed Presidential approval, and informed Nigerians that “the integrity of a local tender, the efficiency of its supply, as well as its efficacy in the conduct of monetary policy, are some of the hall marks of a great Central Bank”.

“In recent times, however currency management has faced several daunting challenges that have continued to ground in scale and sophistication, with attendant and unintended consequences for the integrity of both the CBN and the community: these challenges primarily include significant hoarding of bank notes by members of the public, with statistics showing that 80% of currency in circulation is outside the CBN; growing scarcity of clean and fit bank notes, resulting in a negative perception of the CBN, and an increased risk to finance stability; the increasing ease and risk of counterfeiting.”

Jefferson Uwoghiren

The express and implied reasoning behind the CBN Governor’s decision to redesign our currency, is to abate hoarding of 80% of Nigeria Currency.

So simplistic in conception, and pedestrian in explanation. Granted that the CBN has the legal right of intervention in the financial policies of the country, the stated reasons for this recent initiative, which is that Nigerians are hoarding over N2.7 trillion from the financial system; with over N600 billion left in the vaults of commercial banks is revealing, but a ludicrous and spurious a claim. Nigerians should take this allegation seriously. In the past six years, commercial banks in Nigeria, have introduced measures to track movements of cash in and out of banks with attendant limits, with the use of modern technological support. Yet, to date, there is not one reported incident of depleting cash base, due to hoarding by a specific customer.

The implication is that, for all the stated reasons for Government’s action, there are other unstated reasons for this decision, which should be interrogated by all patriotic Nigerians, because it is for these unstated reasons, Nigerians have lost faith and confidence in the ability of the CBN Governor to extricate the country, from the present financial conundrum we are in.

Since the disgraceful exit of Mrs Kemi Adeosun, and her unfortunate replacement with the current Minister, there have been huge leakages of Government funds, including the huge diversion of workers’ pensions. All Government policies designed to abate these unhealthy practices, have been perverted and diverted to achieve other private goals.

Our Government should come clean on this financial problem, and stop chasing imaginary solutions. Nobody is hoarding our increasingly useless Naira. Nigerians are simply putting their hopes in foreign currencies, and changing their Naira to same. Reflating the depleted cash bases of our commercial banks, the costly route of currency redesign won’t change nor address the deluge now loading.

Jefferson Uwoghiren, Constitutional Lawyer, Benin, Edo State CBN and Its Plan to Redesign Denominations of Our Naira Notes: A Masterstroke?

Emeka Ejikonye Ph.D The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) shocked Nigerians with the sudden announcement of the policy initiative to redesign the 200, 500, and 1,000 denominations of our currency, the Naira. Two of the reasons adduced for this major policy

“Nobody is hoarding our increasingly useless Naira. Nigerians are simply putting their hopes in foreign currencies, and changing their Naira to same”

Emeka Ejikonye

initiative is that the action is long overdue, and to checkmate the frequency of the acts of counterfeiting in the face of the tremendous improvements in technology.

Indeed, the announcement hit Nigerians like a thunderbolt with attendant varied reactions, depending on what side of the divide one finds him or herself. Condemnation and vindication of the policy, has grown steadily in leaps and bounds. Both opponents and supporters alike have gone to town, shouting from the roof-tops. On my part, I would rather hinge my position on this policy in terms of careful observation and analysis of both the pros and cons of the arguments posited thus far, and then proceed to weigh the arguments against the backdrop of the sustainable development and existence of Nigeria as a corporate entity in the long-term.

Arguments Against the Decision Thus, on the one hand, antagonists of the policy argue that it will further depreciate the value of our already battered Naira, and exacerbate the excruciating inflationary trend that has continued to impoverish the mass of our citizenry. Their argument is that the policy would trigger a mad rush for foreign currencies and thereby, further deplete the value of our local currency, and increase the already biting rate of inflation to which the mass of ordinary Nigerians has been subjected. They also point to the high cost of printing the new denominations at this point in time, when our economy is in dire straits. Indeed, credence to this line of argument immediately manifested in the sudden drop of the exchange-rate of our currency to almost N800 to $1 in the parallel market after the announcement.

There is almost every indication that this exchange-rate may hit N1000 to $1 before the end of this year.

The Federal Ministry of Finance seemed to be leading the pack of the opponents of this CBN policy, when the Minister suddenly announced that the Ministry was not aware of this major fiscal policy initiative of the Government. However, the CBN promptly reacted to reiterate that it secured the due approval of Mr President before the announcement, and the Presidency immediately confirmed this to put paid to any allusion to the illegality of the policy initiative. Indeed, the fact of the affirmation and support by the Presidency and high-confidentiality of the entire process leading up to the public announcement, lends credibility to the resolve and tight-knit collaboration between Godwin Emefiele and his team within the CBN and the innermost circle within the Buhari Presidency, to see the policy through without leakage to the public. This must be commended.

Arguments in Support of the Decision On the opposing corner, Nigerians who support this CBN monetary policy initiative argue that it is only those Nigerians who kept their money outside the banking system that must have cause to worry. They are the ones that would have the need to rush to offload this excess cash, that would trigger the potential of huge amounts of the Naira chasing after the Dollar. The supporters of the CBN move query the rationale behind

the inclination of some Nigerians to stash large amounts of our currency outside the banking system, in the face of a contemporary global push towards cashless transactions. This group point to the statistics which shows that over 80% of our currency is buried inside the private vaults of our public servants, politicians, drug barons and other criminal elements who will do everything possible to prevent the eagle eyes of security agencies from prying into their ill-gotten wealth. Indeed, we have seen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) hail and commend the CBN for this major policy feat.

Particularly, the proponents of this move to redesign the Naira, point to its positive impact and advantage to the forthcoming general elections in February, 2023. They point to the recent recourse of our politicians to vote-buying, in the face of the effective check on their other forms of election-rigging introduced by the Electoral Act 2022. These include the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results, amongst other innovative benefits of the Act to our electoral system.

Thus, this group of Nigerians argue that the redesigning of the higher denominations of the Naira, will effectively pull the rug from under the feet of these unscrupulous politicians who have weaponised poverty in our society, through their State-capture of our common wealth. It will checkmate the plans of these politicians to deploy the huge amounts of ill-gotten cash they have stashed up in their private vaults, for inducing the mass of poor Nigerians to vote against their conscience and free-will. The product of the policy to redesign higher denominations of the Naira would, therefore, be free-will of our people to make their choices without any form of unethical inducement, fairness of the electoral process to all the candidates and general credibility of the elections. This way, the votes of the majority of Nigerians will really count to usher into the realm of our governance, popular selfless candidates who will genuinely serve the citizenry towards the long-term sustenance of our social advancement.

Conclusion I cannot but agree more with the arguments of the proponents of this CBN policy to redesign the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of our Naira notes. No doubt, the policy, if successfully implemented, will effectively demobilise the ill-gotten cash at the disposal of these heartless politicians and make them utterly useless.

And, certainly, in the short-term, Nigerians are bound to suffer the consequences of the rise in the prices of general commodities. But, come to think of it, have we not developed a thick-skin to suffering in this country? If what it will take to get us to Uhuru and El Dorado is a little more suffering, I honestly prefer that we endure it. To this extent, I must commend Mr Emefiele and his team at the CBN for this fiscal policy feat. It is indeed, a Masterstroke.

My only apprehension for now, is whether the team will persevere to withstand the anticipated pressure from the unscrupulous elements in our midst, to see to the full implementation and realisation of the long-term benefits of the initiative. Kudos CBN!!!

Emeka Ejikonye Ph.D, Specialist in Public Budgeting, Abuja

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY Ͷ˜ 2022

IMAGES

XI Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Convener, Arise Women, Dr. Siju Iluyomade; First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwoolu; and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, during the 14th edition of Arise Women Conference held in Lagos…recently

L-R: Global Leadership Team Coordinator, Ikeja Metro Lions Club International, District 404B2 Nigeria, Blessing Umebali; Lions International, District Governor 404B2 Nigeria, Olalekan Owolabi; Facilitator and Lions Club International Foundation’s Leader for Constitutional Area VIII and B (Nigeria and Ghana), Dr. Taiwo Adewunmi (with his Facilitation Impact Award); and President, Ikeja Metro Lions Club, Godson Anigbo, during the Club Quality Initiative (CQI) training programme in Lagos…recently

L-R: A guest, Lady Adejoke Okeowo; celebrant and Senior Political Adviser to the British Deputy High Commission, Wale Adebajo; and Philanthropist, Sir Olu Okeowo, at Adebajo’s 50th birthday in Lagos...recently

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Muhammad Kaku Fadah (left), presenting his 100 days in office plaque to the Managing Director of Family Homes Fund, Sani Yakubu (right), during Yakubu’s visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja…recently

L-R: Special Guests of Honour, Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) Arinde; the couple, Chigozie John and Precious Atolagbe; the bride’s parents, Mr. Rufus Oluwole and Felicia Atolagbe; guest, Mrs. Alice Jolade Aransiola; and Chairman of the wedding reception, David Ayo Aransiola, during the wedding ceremony of Precious and Samuel at the Agege Local Government Area Marriage Registry in Agege, Lagos…recently

L-R: Mother of the bride, Mrs. Angela Oragwu; newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. James Elujoba; and mother of the groom, Mrs. Funke Elujoba, after the couple’s wedding at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Lekki, Lagos State…recently

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Anya-Ndi-Igbo, Dr. Uma Eleazu; Secretary, Peter Obi Good Governance Advocates (POGGA), Mrs. Clara Eromosele; acting Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; President, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF). Prof Uzodinma Nwala; and Deputy Director-General (South), Peter Obi Campaign Organisation and Emeritus President, Ijaw Professionals Association, Denzil Kentebe, during the presentation of the book: ‘The Challenges of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria (The Peter Obi Factor )’, held in Lagos…recently

XII

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Russia, Ukraine Recruiting Former US-Trained Afghan Commandos Some former members of Afghanistan’s special forces who fled to Iran after the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan are now being recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, and for Iran in Yemen, two former senior Afghan security officials told VOA. The former Afghan army chief, General Haibatullah Alizai, said Tehran is using the vulnerability of former Afghan forces now living in the country to recruit them to strengthen the ranks of Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“When former Afghan military members go to immigration bureaus in Iran to extend their visas, they are told to go to Yemen to fight in support of the Houthis,” Alizai told VOA. Mohammad Farid Ahmadi, the former commander of Afghanistan’s elite National Army Commando Corps, told VOA that former Afghan special forces are now engaged in “six critical areas” of the world: Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine, Yemen, Iran, Syria and Russia, but “in small groups.”

Afghan commandos trained by the US and NATO are considered the most experienced former military personnel in Afghanistan. Before the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, the commandos led most of the complex combat operations throughout the country.

The Associated Press reported that Russia is now also seeking to recruit former Afghan special forces in Iran to fight alongside their military in Ukraine by offering them “$1,500-a-month payments and promises of safe havens for themselves and their families.”

Republicans Show Late Gains as Election Enters Final Days

With just days before the 2022 midterm elections and control of both houses of Congress and many important state-level offices on the line, momentum appears to be swinging in favour of the Republican Party.

For several months in the middle of 2022, Democrats had allowed themselves to hope that this year they might escape the usual fate of the president’s party during midterms — an almost inevitable loss of seats in Congress.

A Supreme Court ruling that did away with a constitutional right to abortion and a series of high-profile hearings illuminating the role former President Trump played in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol seemed to invigorate Democratic voters, who showed up in record numbers for a number of state-level elections over the summer.

However, with the nation struggling under levels of inflation not seen in a generation and Democratic President Joe Biden’s approval rating well below 50 per cent, late polling shows Republicans making gains across a variety of races.

UK: Russia’s Lack of Air Superiority Exacerbated Due to Poor Training

Britain’s Defence Ministry said Monday that Russia’s loss of experienced air crew members during the invasion of Ukraine is contributing to Russia’s “lack of air superiority is likely exacerbated by poor training” and “heightened risks of conducting close air support in dense air defence zones.”

The UK said Russia’s air capacity “is unlikely to change in the next few months” in an update posted on Twitter. “Russia’s aircraft losses likely significantly outstrip their capacity to manufacture new airframes. The time required for the training of competent pilots further reduces Russia’s ability to regenerate combat air capability.”

In Kherson Sunday, residents were without lights and water, as the city’s Russian-installed officials accused Ukraine of “sabotage” without evidence.

The Kremlin-backed officials said an attack organized by Ukraine damaged “three concrete poles of high-voltage power lines.”

According to Agence France-Presse, the authorities said energy specialists were working to “quickly” resolve the issue.

However, Yaroslav Yanushevych, the Ukrainian head of the Kherson regional administration, blamed Russia for the power outages.

Yanushevych wrote on Telegram: “In temporarily occupied Beryslav, Russian troops blew up highvoltage power lines. About one and a half kilometres of utility poles and lines were destroyed.”

The “damage is quite extensive,” he added, according to AFP.

North Korea Says Launches Were Simulated Attack, as South Recovers Missile Parts

North Korea said Monday that its recent missile launches were simulated strikes on South Korea and the United States as the two countries held a “dangerous war drill,” while the South said it had recovered parts of a North Korean missile near its coast.

Last week, North Korea test-fired multiple missiles, including a possible failed intercontinental ballistic

missile, and hundreds of artillery shells into the sea, as South Korea and the United States carried out six-day air drills that ended Saturday.

The North’s military said the “Vigilant Storm” exercises were an “open provocation aimed at intentionally escalating the tension” and “a dangerous war drill of very high aggressive nature.”

The North’s army said it had conducted activities simulating attacks on air bases and aircraft, as well as a major South Korean city, to “smash the enemies’ persistent war hysteria.”

The flurry of missile launches included the most in a single day and came amid a record year of missile testing by nuclear-armed North Korea.

South Korean and US officials have also said that Pyongyang has made technical preparations to test a nuclear device, the first time it will have done so since 2017.

UN Chief Warns Global Climate Concerns Dire

The global climate summit is underway in Sharm el-Shekih, Egypt, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning Monday that the world’s nations, especially the wealthiest countries, must act quickly to avert ecological ruin.

“We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator,” Guterres declared at the annual UN-led international talks. “We are in the fight of our lives, and we are losing.”

Key to the discussions this year is how and to what extent the world’s richest, industrialized countries that account for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions, including the United States, need to assist impoverished nations that often bear the brunt of climate change.

The conference officially opened Sunday as the World Meteorological Organisation said that the Earth had likely witnessed its warmest eight years on record, which includes the period since the world’s nations approved the landmark Paris climate change agreement in 2015. The agreement called for a sharp reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with a transformation toward clean energy sources and the diminishing use of fossil fuels to slow down global warming.

UK Trade Minister Heads to Taiwan for Talks, Sparks China Rebuke

Britain announced Monday that a trade minister was heading to Taiwan for the first in-person talks since the coronavirus in a bid to strengthen ties with the island, a trip that sparked a rebuke from Beijing.

Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands will co-host annual talks and meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during his two-day visit, the Department for International Trade said.

The visit “is a clear signal of the UK’s commitment to boosting UK-Taiwan trade ties.

Like the UK, Taiwan is a champion of free and fair trade underpinned by a rules-based global trading system,” the department said in its statement.

A spokesperson for Britain’s de facto

embassy in Taiwan told AFP that Hands’ official program would start on Tuesday.

Hands said boosting trade with a “vital partner” like Taiwan was “part of the UK’s post-Brexit tilt towards the Indo-Pacific, and closer collaboration will help us future-proof our economy in the decades to come”.

Taiwan has seen a flurry of visits by foreign officials and lawmakers in recent months, the most high-profile of which was US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose trip infuriated Beijing.

India, Russia to Hold Talks Expected to Include Ukraine Invasion

Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is visiting Moscow for talks expected to focus on economic and political issues.

The two-day visit, during which the Indian minister will meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov, will be the first by a senior Indian official to Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

Analysts say while most attention has been focused on the softer stance India has taken on Russia’s invasion and its continued purchase of cheap Russian oil and coal despite Western sanctions, New Delhi has also been using its leverage based on longstanding ties with Moscow to underline the need to end hostilities.

Ahead of the visit that starts Monday, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters that India has always emphasised the need to return to diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the conflict. “I am sure that the external affairs minister would certainly be reiterating it,” he said Thursday.

The minister will be “looking at the economic elements” and exchange of views on “regional and international developments,” Bagchi said.

Ethiopia’s Warring Factions Meet to Discuss Implementation of Peace Deal

Ethiopia’s federal government and Tigray regional leaders began meeting in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, Monday for talks on an African Union-brokered peace deal signed last week in South Africa. The parties are discussing how to implement the deal and get much-needed food and medical aid to areas cut off by two years of war.

Ethiopian government representatives and the leadership of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front are meeting to implement the peace agreement that has given Ethiopian civilians trapped in the conflict new hope.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Uhuru Kenyatta, former Kenyan president, are chairing the talks.

Tigray spokesperson Getachew Reda says implementing the peace agreement will create more opportunities for the country.

The deal calls for an end to the two-year conflict and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people in the Tigray region.

The Ethiopian government’s lead negotiator Redwan Hussein said it’s a priority to reconnect the Tigray community with the rest of the country.

UN Agencies Raise Concern Over Refugee Influx Into Malawi

UN agencies in Malawi say an influx of hundreds of refugees escaping fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo is straining already scarce resources at Malawi’s largest refugee camp. The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) has warned it is quickly running out of food aid for the camp’s more than 50,000 refugees and asylum-seekers.

The UN’s World Food Program says the influx of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo is putting pressure on resources. The WFP has long provided monthly food ration assistance to more than 50,000 refugees in Malawi.

Conflict in the DRC has resulted in a continued flow of refugees into Malawi for more than two decades.

Tens of thousands of people in the DRC were displaced recently after rebels captured new territory there.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) says in September alone, the Dzaleka camp, about 40km north of the capital, Lilongwe, received 423 refugees, many from the DRC. This is slightly above an average of 300 and 400 refugees per month.

Kenyi Emanuel, the reporting officer for UNHCR in Malawi, says the camp that can hold some 10,000 people is already overcrowded.

Passengers Stranded as Kenya Airways Pilots Down Tools

Kenya’s national airline, Kenya Airways, is threatening disciplinary action against dozens of pilots, many of who have taken sick leave to participate in what the company calls an illegal strike which grounded flights for the third day.

The airline’s chief executive officer, Allan Kilavuka, issued a statement Monday calling the strike illegal. Monday morning, 132 of the airline’s 400 pilots registered with the airline’s operations team as unfit to fly, meaning they called in sick.

Kilavuka said a collective bargaining agreement forbids the pilots from staying out of work for more than 48 hours, and the pilots could face dismissal.

Reports say officials from the pilots’ union – the Kenya Airlines Pilots Association, or KALPA – have been summoned to court Tuesday after failing to comply with orders not to launch the strike. The union has not responded to the summons.

The striking pilots walked off the job Saturday, saying airline management has refused to address their grievances. They are demanding the airline address issues over pensions and salaries.

The airline reported that 47 flights were cancelled Monday, leaving some 12,000 passengers stranded.

XIII

TUESDAY, ΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Halloween Reveals Mentality of Black Africans O

n Monday October 31, 2022, tens of thousands of Nigerians trooped out in their Halloween costumes to mark this chic holiday and even took photos of themselves. Many of them did not even know what they were celebrating. Their mentality is ‘White people celebrate it so it is good!’

Sadly, Black Africans are so racist against each other, and a lot of this is unconscious bias. This is why we see masquerades as evil, then dress up as demons and Dracula on Halloween. Meanwhile, African masquerades serve a purpose in the community.

But what purpose do demons serve?

I first became a resident in the United States at the age of nine and I have never celebrated Halloween, because it is cultural colonialism. If European colonialists had met us celebrating an African version of Halloween, they would have outlawed it as barbaric, the way they outlawed many of our customs and cultural practices. But here we are, half a century after colonialism, celebrating European superstition.

Throughout my time as a student in England, I never saw an Indian celebrate Halloween. However, none of my Indian friends ever missed marking Diwali.

Meanwhile, my Black African friends celebrated Halloween, but looked down on African events like Ojude Oba. No wonder an Indian is now Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. They kept their culture and vice versa. But we, Black Africans, swept our culture away, and Western culture has deservedly swept us away from power, prestige and prominence!

Halloween is a pagan festival. Just like Christmas and Easter (the word Easter does not occur in the original Scripture, though the King James Version, which was translated by men with occult backgrounds, translated the word ‘Passover’ as Easter in Acts 12:4.

Every other version, except those based on the KJV uses the word Passover). Halloween is an attempt at syncretising European pagan culture into Christianity to make it more acceptable to Roman citizens who resisted Christendom (Christendom refers to political Christianity).

The truth is that African customs and culture, such as our New Yam festivals, are more scriptural than Halloween. Yet, Africans look down on them.

The New Yam festival is in Scripture in the form of Harvest Festival-Deuteronomy 16:10. Please show me Halloween in Scripture!

In 2022, you as an African celebrated Halloween.

But you refused to celebrate your village's New Yam festival because it is fetish. Do you not see what you have done to yourself? Your inferiority complex makes you accept Western paganism and makes you reject beneficial African customs!

How is your New Yam festival different from the Harvest festivals you read about in Scripture? From whom did the Moses who taught the children of Israel these practices learn it from? Read Numbers 12:1. He was married to a Black African. Read Exodus 18:24. Her Black father was Moses’s mentor. May God deliver my people from inferiority complex!

As a people, we as Black Africans must take an audit of our present way of life. Our culture grew organically from our ancestors’ relationship with the natural world, and that should serve as a lighthouse

Chinese individuals living In Mozambique who had been arrested for manufacturing fake iPhones in an illegal factory in the Southern African nation. They threw the men in jail and destroyed their merchandise.

Now, right there is the type of pig-headed action that has kept Africa down. This is the inferiority complex that leads us to take actions that impede our growth as a people.

Rather than jailing those Chinese citizens, the Mozambican government should have seen the great opportunity before them.

They could have given the arrested Chinese counterfeiters Mozambican citizenship on the condition that they set up a legit factory to produce legal phones for Mozambicans that are not counterfeited.

If they could make counterfeit iPhones that work, then they can make the first made in Mozambique budget phones. They will make money and pay taxes to the government, and Mozambicans will get cheap phones, and they can even export and earn Mozambique some foreign exchange, and everybody will be happy!

But rather than do this, they just arrested them, destroyed their factory and threw them in jail. You see what I am saying? Not enough investment on books to go into our head. That is why we react instead of pro-acting.

Reno’s Nuggets

Buhari

Joe Biden

that guides our ship in stormy waters. Every Black African culture that is not contrary to Scripture, and is not repugnant, must be poignant to our development as a people.

Today, Nigerians are condemning the Ooni of Ife for polygamy, and celebrating crossdressers for their courage and bravery. That is what happens to us as a people when we abandon our culture and adopt foreign culture. Gay marriage becomes good.

Polygamy becomes bad!

Meanwhile, polygamy is God ordained in Scripture-2 Samuel 12:8.

To show us how the wholesale adoption of foreign culture has ruined us as a people, they called our ancestors uncivilised, but stealing was almost unheard of in pre-colonial Africa. But now that we are all Christians and Muslims, stealing is more rampant than praying!

If Rishi Sunak had been a Black African, he may have changed his name to Richie Stewart. Did you see him marking Halloween? No! But he very PUBLICLY marked Diwali and performed the Puja ritual.

Meanwhile, when then President Olusegun Obasanjo waved a white handkerchief in the face of the late Queen Elizabeth II, as part of the opening ceremony of the 2003 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Abuja, Nigerians were outraged. Many called him Ogboni.

Yet, waving a white handkerchief as you dance is almost a universal West African pre-colonial culture!

If a Black African visits another Black African, and is offered kola nut, that may be the last time he visits his friend. He will tag him a jazz man! Meanwhile, as Achebe said in his seminal work, Things Fall Apart,

''He who brings kola brings life''.

But if he is offered Hennessy by his friend, he will feel welcome! As Africans, we will not get superiority until we lose our inferiority complex!

We must value our culture if we want others to value us.

And it is affecting our economy. Today, Nigerians are blaming Buhari for the collapse of the Naira.

They have a point. But all the blame does not go to the failed All Progressives Congress administration.

We all want to drink champagne. We must support a European football club and buy all their merchandise.

It is a curse for us to drink akamu (ogi or pap).

But the bitter truth is that if we want the Naira to go up, then we must buy Innoson cars instead of Mercedes. Buy pap instead of Quaker Oats or custard.

Buy kunu instead of champagne. And patronise Aba made, rather than ably made in Italy. It is not rocket science!

As Sub-Saharan Africans, we spend money on hair for our heads that we should spend on books to enter our heads. Indian women sacrifice their hair by cutting it at Hindu Temples. It is shipped, sometimes without being sanitised, to Africa. And we rush it like hot cake. When will it end? When will we see that our hair, the same hair that the Pharaohs had, is good enough?

And sadly, if a Black African woman is bold and conscious enough to go natural, it is her fellow Black African women that will put pressure on her to ‘look good’ by getting a weave on. Her husband’s friends will even complain and accuse him of not maintaining his wife!

Last week, the BBC Africa carried a story about two

I appeal to the Central Bank of Nigeria to consider putting President Olusegun Obasanjo’s image on the redesigned Naira. In my opinion, he is the greatest Nigerian living or dead. He and Atiku paid off our entire foreign debt. He entrenched democracy by being the first military leader to have VOLUNTARILY surrendered power to an elected government in Africa. And he returned 20 years later to become the first civilian President to democratically transfer power to another elected President.

General Obasanjo also led the African antiapartheid effort, and spent billions of dollars to bring freedom to South Africa. And after leaving office on October 1, 1979, he became a leader of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group that successfully fought for the release of Nelson Mandela.

Upon his return as a democratically elected President, he militarily crushed a coup in São Tomé and Príncipe, and personally took the deposed democratically elected leader, Fradique de Menezes, on his Presidential jet, and restored him to power in São Tomé city, the capital.

Chief Obasanjo also handled the Sharia crisis tactically and peacefully. On the economic front, it was under him that Nigeria had her best-ever GDP growth rate in 2002, and he was able to pay off Nigeria’s foreign debt at a time when crude oil sold for $22 per barrel.

Finally, he governed without any bias to any religion or region, including his own. And to cap it all, he has now brought peace to Ethiopia.

May God bless Olusegun Obasanjo! #TableShaker

2023: ANAP Polls Show Sanwo-Olu, Otti, Others Take Lead in Upcoming Guber Election Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 governorship elections, a multi state-wide opinion poll commissioned by Anap Foundation and conducted by NOI Polls Limited has seen Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state, Alex Otti of Abia state and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara state leading in the elections in their various states.

The Atedo Peterside-led organisation also projected that in Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has an edge while in Kano, the race is between Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In Lagos, the poll revealed a significant lead by Sanwo-Olu of the APC, with Azeez Olajide Adediran of the PDP and Gbadebo Patrick Rhodes-Vivour of Labour Party (LP) both trailing behind distantly.

It saw Sanwo-Olu ahead with 30 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the governorship elections were to be conducted today; 8 per cent proposing to vote for Adediran and Rhodes-Vivour in a distant third with 4 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him.

Sanwo-Olu’s 22 per cent-point lead at this early stage, it stated, is very significant, as the opposition voters are fragmented and shared between two main challengers in the ratio 30:8:4.

Undecided voters and those who prefer not to reveal their preferred candidate, it noted, added up to a whopping 30 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. The gender split of undecided voters showed that 35 per cent of women were undecided versus 27 per cent of male voters.

The percentage of registered voters was 84 in Lagos West, 85 in Lagos East, and 89 in Lagos Central.

Furthermore, the data sum-

marised top five reasons why voters are more inclined to vote in the forthcoming elections, including fixing of bad roads ,insecurity, economy, infrastructure and unemployment .

“The poll shows that almost eight in 10 registered voters are absolutely certain that they would be voting in the next governorship election. If they stay committed then we could witness a huge turnout in the March 2023 elections,” it noted.

In Rivers, the poll revealed a substantially close race between Fubara and Tonye Cole of the APC, while Magnus Abe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Dumo Owukori Lulu-Briggs of Accord Party (A) emerged as outsiders in that order.

The results showed a small lead for Fubara with 14 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the governorship election were to be conducted today; and 11 per cent proposing to vote for Cole

who fell in second place even as Abe was third with 6 per cent and Lulu-Briggs was fourth, with 4 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him.

“Undecided voters and those who prefer not to reveal their preferred candidate add up to a whopping 37 per cent and 18 per cent respectively. The gender split of undecided voters shows that 43 per cent of women are undecided versus 34 per cent of male voters,” the poll results indicated.

Anap stated that the governorship poll result showed some early trends, stressing that it is key to note that the battle ahead lies in the hands of the undecided/ swing voters who would ultimately have their say on which candidate emerges as governor of Rivers.

Moving to Kano, it also revealed a substantially close race between Yusuf of the NNPP and Gawuna of APC, with an 18-point gap between the pair and other candidates.

The results showed a significant lead for Yusuf with 29 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the governorship election were to be conducted today; and 21 per cent proposing to vote for Gawuna of the APC who fell in second place. Mohammed Wali of the PDP was a distant third with only 3 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him.

As for results from Kwara, it confirmed a dominant lead by Abdulrasaq of the APC with Alhaji Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi of the PDP and Mr. Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal of the SDP both trailing behind respectively.

“The results showed a significant lead for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRaqaz with 30 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the governorship election were to be conducted today; and 11 per cent proposing to vote for Alhaji Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi (PDP) who fell in second place. Mr. Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (SDP)

was a distant third with only 3 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him,” Anap said.

In Abia, it indicated that Otti of LP, with Uchenna Ikonne of PDP and Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) both trailing.

“The results showed a significant lead for Alex Chioma Otti with 20 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the governorship election were to be conducted today; 9 per cent propose to vote for Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne (PDP) who fell in second place and Gregory Ikechukwu Charles Ibe (APGA) was third with 4 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him,” it explained.

Furthermore, the data summarised top five reasons why voters were more inclined to vote in the forthcoming elections, includingfixing of bad roads, infrastructural development, payment of salaries , job creation/unemployment and security.

XIV

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email: chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

Despite #EndSARS' Objectives, Police Brutality Thrive Unabated On October 20, 2022, the second anniversary of the movement against police brutality, which culminated into #EndSARS, was commemorated. The movement, which was a youth-driven protest against police brutality, harassment, and bad leadership had held the nation in its grips until it was brought to an abrupt end by violence and even death. Two years on, Sunday Ehigiator examines the impact of the protest and the journey so far, against the backdrop of pockets of police harassment and brutality that still thrives today despite the consistent disciplinary measures against such deviant personnel by the Nigerian Police Force authorities

O

n the night of October 20, 2020, at about 6:50 p.m., members of the Nigerian Army opened fire on unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Amnesty International stated that at least 12 protesters were killed during the shooting. A day after the incident, on October 21, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, initially denied reports of any loss of lives, but later admitted in an interview with a CNN journalist that "only two persons were killed".

The Nigerian Army also initially denied involvement in the shooting, but later stated that it had deployed soldiers to the toll gate on the orders of the governor of Lagos State. A month after the shooting, following a CNN documentary on the shooting, the Nigerian Army admitted to the Lagos Judiciary panel of inquiry into the shooting that it had deployed its personnel to the toll gate with both live and blank bullets. #EndSARS Protest The #EndSARS protest was a decentralised social movement and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria. The slogan calls for the disbanding of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police with a long record of abuse on Nigerian citizens.

The squad was created as a masked police unit to perform undercover operations against violent crimes like armed robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and the bearing and use of illegal firearms.

However, it became a unit known for several human rights violations, illegal “stop and searches”, illegal arrests and detentions, extrajudicial killings, sexual harassment of women and brutalisation of young male Nigerians. The human rights abuses were documented in trending videos on social media.

In 2017, Nigerian activists, youth and celebrities across the nation took to the streets in a peaceful protest to spread awareness of SARS brutality and extortions and to demand its disbanding. The protests also moved to social media using the hashtag #EndSARS. A 2016 report by Amnesty International, indicted SARS maintaining that the squad was responsible for human rights abuses, cruelty, degrading treatment of Nigerians in their custody, and other widespread torture.

Some of the human rights abuses by SARS include the shooting of their detainees in the leg, mock executions and threats of execution, hanging and physical assault.

A 2020 publication by the organisation documented 82 cases of abuses and extrajudicial killings by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020. These revelations and Nigerian youth realities in the hands of a unit created to secure their life fueled the October 2020 #EndSARS protest.

The protest takes its name from the slogan started in 2017 as a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #EndSARS to demand the disbanding of the unit by the Nigerian government. After experiencing a revitalisation in October 2020 following more revelations of the abuses of the unit, mass demonstrations occurred throughout the major cities of Nigeria, accompanied by vociferous outrage on social media platforms.

The movement then expanded to include demands for good and accountable governance, considering the unprecedented hardship in the country. Within a few days of protests, on October 11, 2020, the Nigerian Police Force announced that it was dissolving the unit with immediate effect.

The move was widely received as a triumph of the demonstrations. However, it was noted in many quarters that similar announcements had been made in recent years to pacify the public without the unit being disbanded and that the government had merely planned to reassign and review

#EndSARS Protesters SARS officers to medical centres rather than disband the unit entirely.

Hence protests continued accordingly, which would later lead to what is now known climes as the ‘#Lekki Massacre’, though the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed referred to it as a “Bodiless and Bloodless Massacre,” while maintaining there were no killing of civilians by the army on October 20, 2020.

Did it Achieve Its Aim? Speaking with THISDAY on whether the #EndSARS movement achieved its intended purpose after two years, President/ Founder of Social Intervention Advocacy Foundation (SIAF), also a member of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Enquiry into the October 20, 2020 incident, Segun Awosanya, famously known as Segalinks said, the advocacy achieved its aim “which is to curb/eradicate the culture of impunity and strategically ensure government gives priority to the holistic reformation of the Police Institution beginning with the repeal and replacement of the Police Act 1943.

“The #EndSARS #ReformPoliceNG Advocacy debuted in 2017 and we must not accept any trope based on the willful blindness to facts by painting any picture that suggests it started in 2020.

The Advocacy was not about any Mexican standoff between the belligerence of the government and the thirst for the chaos of the mob seeking to deploy any popular/effective advocacy as a vehicle for their self-genocidal plot..."

On the work at the Lagos judicial panel, he said: "the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry’s report

is in the public domain as acclaimed to have facilitated justice for the applicants before it on police brutality cases within its jurisdiction. On the investigation of the October 20 2020 incident, the Lagos State Government’s Whitepaper reviewed the 32 recommendations of the panel out of which 11 were accepted as it is, six were accepted with modifications, and 14 fell outside the purview of the Lagos State government and was forwarded to NEC while one was rejected.

“It must also be highlighted that Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry demonstrably proved to have been the most effective in terms of the answered prayers of the petitioners before it with over N400 million paid in compensation to credible petitioners."

In his reaction, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the #EndSARS movement was never geared to reform the police in anyway.

According to him, "The organisers and financiers had their motives which they eventually achieved. So we have never seen the violent move by certain individuals as a blessing to the Police family, our economy and general wellbeing of Nigerians because the violent left sorrows, blood and pains in the land.

"The benefit, if any, must have been so infinitesimal, to the bad memories it left behind in Nigeria. Many are still counting losses, even the innocent ones."

Contrarily, National Coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Ikule Emmanuel believes otherwise. He said although the protest did not achieve its aim and objectives due to pockets of police harassment and brutality today in Nigeria, it was a successful one.

According to him, the protest was a successful one because it brought to the fore issues that have been plaguing the country, the culture of human right abuse, gained National recognition and enabled the government to be more responsive despite its unlawful Nature.

He said the protest has ensured that “more persons can now stand for their right as a

The protest has ensured that “more persons can now stand for their right as a departure of what was before #EndSARS. It facilitated the Passage of Police Act 2020, the passage of VAPP Act, ACJA in States to curb impunity etc., and the passage of Compulsory Treatment of Gunshot victim Act in different States

departure of what was before #EndSARS. It facilitated the Passage of Police Act 2020, the passage of VAPP Act, ACJA in States to curb impunity etc., and the passage of Compulsory Treatment of Gunshot victim Act in different states.

“It has also led to the formation of the Board of Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF 2019), the purchase of buffalo trucks for Police by NPTF, the purchase of security equipment by some state governments like Rivers State, public Hearing on Police Service Commission Act 2020, Establishment Act of Police Training Institute, Compilation of all police reform reports in Nigeria by NHRC & CSOs, and Formation of the Board of Trustees of the NHRC. “Other than that, it has caused the release of protesters without bail money as has been the case before, the decongestion of correctional centres (some petty offenders were released in some states), formation of Judicial Panel of Inquiry in 30 States in Nigeria including Abuja, compensation of some survivors of police abuses, increased disciplinary measures against erring Police Officers, 20 per cent increment of police salary, the appointment of new service chiefs, pressure from International organizations for serious efforts to police reforms, and the implementation of projects on Police reforms in Nigeria. This gave room for more collaboration with the police and capacity building for the police etc.”

Post #EndSARS Speaking further, NOPRIN Coordinator, Ikule revealed that post #EndSARS, some #EndSARs protesters are still in police custody, while the attack on peaceful protesters by the police has remained the order of the day.

“We can see this from the attacks on peaceful protesters in Lagos and clamping down on protesters in Abuja on October 20, 2021. Also, the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, was the same as the Oyigbo Massacre, in Port Harcourt by the Army where youths were killed.

“There is also the destruction of lives, livelihood, communities in Konshisha, Benue State by Army, attacks and displacement on Tiv Tribe in Taraba State in the presence of Army and their refusal to intervene or allow the Tiv’s to defend themselves.

“Also are the attacks on South-East (Army, IPOB and Unknown Gunmen) citizens. Youths are being killed daily in the name of them being tagged as IPOB members. We also saw the clampdown on Media Houses, mass abduction in the North (East & West), attack on Kaduna Airport & Railway Station, freeing of Boko haram members in Nigeria, and attack on correctional centres, to mention but a few.”

Also speaking with THISDAY, a Barrister and Solicitor, Kayode Faseyi (ESQ) noted that the anniversary of the #EndSARS protest is a time to reflect on the lessons, consequences and albeit, the way forward of the aftermath of that protest. He equally noted that police brutality has continued to persist despite the #EndSARS protest.

According to him, “The reason for the protest is not far-fetched as it was a protest that was aimed at ending police brutality, maiming, harassment and extra-judicial killings that have become so endemic in the Nigerian Police Force. It was also the intention of the protest to make a case for the improved welfare of police officers across the Nation.

“It is, therefore, regrettable that two years after the incident in which it widely believed that about 12 innocent and harmless Nigerian protesters were killed whilst many others were seriously injured, nothing concrete and welcoming has been done by the federal government and state governments as the case may be to ensure the end to this Continued on page XV

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T H I S D AY ˾ DAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

FEATURES

Despite #EndSARS' Objectives, Police Brutality Thrive Unabated arbitrary police actions.

“I recall that only last year, a lawyer practising in my office was arbitrarily arrested with his phone seized at Obalende area of Lagos state, by officers from Kam Salem building under the false allegation of him being a yahoo boy (Fraudster). He was detained for several hours without being able to make any contact with his family or the office.

“It is unfortunate that all the committees set up by the governments (FG and state governments) particularly the Lagos State government which set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for victims of SARS and other related abuses did not implement the whitepaper till today.

“It is therefore lamentable that till today, the complaints of the protesters have not fully been addressed as the various governments have chosen to downplay the incident or have decidedly politicised it. Hence, the ugly menace of police brutality continues unabated to date.

“As such, until government at all levels stand up to accept the truth and muster the political will to address police brutality headlong, it will continue to threaten basic civil norms and impact negatively on our collective constitutional rights in Nigeria.”

2022 Commemoration To mark the event this year, the youths held peaceful protests both online and offline. While mourning those lost during the protest, they lamented that not much has changed since 2020.

Youth representative on the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Enquiry set up after the October 20, 2020 incident, Rinu Oduola through a post on her Twitter handle @ SavvyRinu wrote, “They killed so many young people, for just going out to protest.

“They responded with a massacre, terrorized the survivors, blocked access to Twitter, arrested and criminalized many protesters, tagging them guilty until proven innocent. Or have we forgotten? I’d just like to remind you that peaceful protesters are still in prison as scapegoats. It’s almost 2 years. #EndSARS” Another Twitter user with the handle, @ SIRInyene wrote, “This week Thursday will make it exactly 2 years since the Buhari-led government gave the order for innocent civilians and protesters to be killed at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, Nigeria. We will never forget.”

Also, @Archiecomicz wrote, “Our job is to consistently keep your memories engaged.

To get you angry but also make sure you stay angry till 2023, to ensure that you vote wisely.

“Today we remember our fallen heroes across Nigeria, especially victims of the #LekkiMassacre. #EndSars is my greatest issue base in the 2023 elections. No way can it ever be trivialized. Not after the trauma, we’ve lived & the lives we’ve lost, never!”

Another user identified as @cheofafriqa said, “It's been two whole years. No justice for the innocents, no promises kept, we'll never forget, we'll never forgive.”

Lost Lessons as Police Brutality Persist Two years down the line, nothing much has changed as cases of police brutality seem to be on the increase.

On October 16 2021, police officers attacked, beat and forced a student to withdraw N25,000 via ATM, in the Okene area of Kogi State.

The police officers had seen the boy with his laptop and accused him of being a suspected fraudster even though he told them that it was for school work.

Further reports revealed that the Inspector General of Police ordered an investigation into the viral video of the incident which showed a police officer, Ifediegwu Godwin slap the passenger.

On April 26, 2022, a police officer who was on illegal duty allegedly killed two people at a birthday party in Gowon Estate, located in the Egbeda area of Alimosho LG, Lagos State.

According to eyewitness accounts, during the party, the gun-wielding officer was said to have been drunk, while attempting to shoot in the sky to honour the birthday celebrant, but accidentally shot at those dancing and spraying money, thereby killing two of the guests at the spot.

Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alabi, ordered the immediate arrest and discrete investigation into the matter with disciplinary action and immediate prosecution of those found culpable.

On May 29, 2022, an unidentified policeman in Adamawa State killed a Nigerian soldier identified as K Ibrahim along the Numan-Jalingo Road. The police officer and his colleagues were said to be under the influence of alcohol.

On October 15, 2022, a police Inspector identified as Samuel Ugor, was shot dead

Protesters by his colleague in Abia State, following an argument. Both officers were attached to the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa South Constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, Ginger Onwusibe.

Reacting to the incident, a police spokesperson in the state, Godfrey Ogbonna who revealed the incident was still under investigation, described it as unfortunate and condemnable.

On August 16, 2022, some policemen from Oko Oba Divisional Police Station in the Ojokoro area of Lagos State on Tuesday evening reportedly shot a motorbike rider in the head and took away his corpse.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened at Olayiwola Street, Social Club Junction in the Abule-Egba area of the state.

It was learnt that the violence broke out after a minor accident involving a car and a motorcycle around the area.

On July 3, 2021, Yoruba Nation agitators converged on the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in the Ojotathe area of Lagos to demand an independent state for the South-west region. It was alleged that police shot into the air and used teargas canisters to disperse the crowd and Ms Jumoke Oyeleke, a 25-year-old sales girl, was shot dead.

In October 2022, the Coroner, Magistrate Mukaila Fadeyi, indicted the Nigerian police for the killing of Oyeleke. The police were indicted after findings in the coroner's inquest revealed that Oyeleke was shot by the police.

On May 31, 2022, a 27-year-old mother of two, identified as Blessing Mba, was allegedly brutalised by the Divisional Police Officer of the Adeeke Police Station, Iwo, Osun State, CSP Ige Adekunle.

According to reports, the incident happened when Blessing went in search of her 15-year-old son, identified as Monday, station who had not returned home and was found to have been detained by the police. Blessing said she was at the station when a police officer identified as Àpápá assaulted her and accused her of carrying ‘sacrifice’ to the station.

They threatened to kill her while they were brutalising her.

She passed out and was revived with water m Afterwards, the DPO, Adekunle, then gave her N2,000 while she was leaving the hospital and another N2,000 in the evening, and later another N15,000 and

took her to the hospital again to treat her leg after she moved to report the case to the Police Area Command in Iwo. Reacting to the incident, the state’s police spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola said the CP had ordered the involved police officers to be detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID). She added that the DPO was also summoned by the Commissioner of Police to report to his office on Monday, while an effort is ongoing to get the woman.

On February 28, 2022, officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command attacked some members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) who protested in Abuja, the nation’s capital. The students were protesting against the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Led by NANS National President, Sunday Asefon.

On September 8, 2022, men of the F-Division Police Station of the Kwara State Police Command were accused of brutalising a Liberian international student of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Theophilus Blamoh, in Oke-Odo, in the Ilorin area of the state.

It was gathered that the 200-level student of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, alongside his colleagues, were on their way to buy some food items when the policemen accosted them and ordered them to enter their patrol vehicle. He was brutalised till he collapsed On July 21, 2021, some operatives of the Bauchi State Command attacked a Journalist, Yusuf Damina while covering a protest staged by students of Bauchi State College of Agriculture last Thursday.

Damina, who is a reporter with African Independent Television (AIT), had his phones and other personal belongings seized by the operatives. He sustained injuries on his head and was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

On October 20, 2021, an Uber driver, simply identified as Adedotun was beaten, brutalized, pepper-sprayed and forcefully dragged into a black maria by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force during the #ENDSARS memorial which took place at the Lekki tollgate for getting out of his car and running when he saw others do same On August 21, 2022, pandemonium erupted when overzealous police operatives attached to the Minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory, Ramatu Tijani, attacked a journalist, Mohammed Baba and the security details at the national secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Abuja.

On June 10, 2021, Operatives of the Department of the State Services (DSS) and some policemen, descended on a reporter with the Punch newspaper, Friday Olokor.

The journalist, who was to cover a panel of discussants at an ongoing African Council of Women Conference in Abuja, was brutalised and had his clothes torn by the security men on duty.

Police authorities also need to demonstrate their disapproval of, and zero tolerance for, human rights violations by punishing perpetrators. They must become more diligent, professional and honest in investigating cases. This will help them win public confidence, cooperation and support

On October 14, 2022, operatives of the Kwara State Police Command clamped down on journalists protesting the detention of a colleague in the state. The journalists staged a protest at the police headquarters over the detention of Dare Akogun, who works with Sobi FM, and his brother Abdulrasheed.

According to the Head of News and Current Affairs at Sobi FM, Adebayo Abubakar, some of the protesting journalists were brutalised and detained by the police.

On May 18, 2022, some police officers allegedly attacked a BBC journalist who was covering the suspended sit-at-home order at Cemetery Market, Aba, Abia State.

According to reports, the officers told the reporter that he could be a spy pretending to be a journalist.

On June 21, 2021, a correspondent of the Punch Newspapers in Imo, Chidiebube Okeoma, was brutalised by Government House security and some policemen attached to Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) for interviewing some widowed street cleaners protesting the non-payment of their stipends.

On June 27, 2022, a policeman simply identified as Zeus, attached to the Eziama Police Station in Aba, Abia State on Monday night brutalised a man who gave his name as Samuel Okoye on his way back from a hospital with his sick wife.

The incident later led to Okoye’s phone being seized and he and his wife being taken to the station where he was slapped on several occasions by the police officers for doing nothing. He said he was later allowed to go home by 1:30 am the next day.

On November 2, 2022, A policewoman identified as Inspector Olorunsogo Bamidele, serving at the Nigeria Police Force, Osun State command, and attached to the Ode-Omu Divisional headquarters, cried out for justice after she was allegedly physically assaulted and brutalised by her senior colleague, ASP Ajayi Mathew for allegedly turning down his sexual overtures.

On July 24, 2022, a Twitter user, simply identified as Oluwatosin narrated how he was allegedly brutalised and physically assaulted by officers of Nigeria Police in Agege, Lagos State. He further alleged that N55,400 was extorted from him by the police.

In all these cases, one factor remained constant - the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, shamed and named them while also ensuring the matter was dealt with by the authorities. The bewildering question remains why it keeps recurring despite constant warnings by the IG and the visible punishment meted out to offenders.

Widening Trust According to Nwanguma, human rights violations breed public resentment and widen the trust gap between the police and the citizens they are employed to serve and protect, therefore police authorities need to increase their commitment to checking persistent human rights violations to rebuild public confidence and invite public support.

“Police authorities also need to demonstrate their disapproval of, and zero tolerance for, human rights violations by punishing perpetrators. They must become more diligent, professional and honest in investigating cases. This will help them win public confidence, cooperation and support.

“The police as an institution need to prioritise engagement with the communities including civil society through dialogue to communicate their challenges. When the police engage and dialogue with communities and citizens, they will be able to better understand public expectations and the public will also understand the challenges that the police face, and will feel sympathetic and willing to partner them and even become their voices for better treatment by the government.

“The Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the logical link between lack of respect for human rights and the likelihood of disruption to the peace. It says that if a man is not to take recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion then human rights must be protected by the rule of law.

“Thus, as stated in the Commonwealth Manual on Human Rights Training for Police ‘the day-to-day conduct of police in protecting and ensuring the human rights of all persons contributes to safe, stable and peaceful communities. And violation of rights only undermines, rather than enables, the possibility of real security and stability.

“Successive NPF leaderships have acknowledged the fact that the police are a creation of the law and must always operate within the law. They also acknowledge the need for human rights to be respected and protected. Therefore police officers must conduct themselves in ways that guarantee and invite public support. Wrongful law enforcement methods cannot and do not encourage community collaboration.”

XVI

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT As COP27 Begins in Egypt, Guterres Calls for Global Collaboration on Temperature Reduction Bennett Oghifo

T

he Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres has called for firm collaboration between developed and developing countries and taxing fossil fuel companies in the global quest to reduce the earth’s temperature to 1.5 degrees, as agreed in Paris.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change.

Guterres gave the charge yesterday at the opening of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, saying, “We must acknowledge the harsh truth.

There is no adapting to a growing number of catastrophic events causing enormous suffering around the world.

“The deadly impacts of climate change are here and now. It is a moral imperative.

It is a fundamental question of international solidarity and

climate justice. Those who contributed least to the climate crisis are reaping the whirlwind sown by others, and many are blindsided by impacts for which they had no warning or means of preparation.”

He then called for “universal early warning system coverage within five years. And it is why I am asking that all governments tax the windfall profits of fossil fuel companies. Let’s direct that money to people struggling with rising food and energy

prices and to countries suffering loss and damage caused by the climate crisis.”

He said the global community must agree on a clear time bound roadmap, reflective of the scale and urgency of the challenge. And that “this roadmap must deliver effective institutional arrangements for financing. Getting concrete results on loss and damage is a litmus test of the commitment of the governments to the success of COP 27.”

He said, “The good news is that we know what to do and we have the financial and technological tools to get the job done. It is time for nations to come together for implementation. It is time for international solidarity across the board. Solidarity that respects all human rights and guarantees, a safe space for environmental defenders and all actors in society to contribute to our climate response.

“Let’s not forget that the war

on nature is itself a massive violation of human rights. We need all hands on deck for faster bolder climate action. A window of opportunity remains open but only a narrow shaft of light remains. The global climate fight will be won or lost in these crucial decades on our watch.

And one thing is certain. Those that give up are sure to lose.

So let’s fight together and let swim for the 8 billion members of our human family and for generations to come.”

AHCN: Making Accommodation Accessible at Affordable Cost Our Objective Bennett Oghifo The Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria (AHCN) has said that its major objective is to provide decent homes to Nigerians and at affordable cost.

President/Chairman of Council, AHCN, Dr. Victor C. Onukwugha stated this in an address presented at the opening ceremony of the 6th international conference on housing and exhibition – Housing Africa 2022, held in

Lagos, recently.

Onukwugha said, “Our major objective in the Association is to make decent accommodation accessible to Nigerians at affordable cost and that of course is one of the reasons behind this conference.”

The importance of housing to mankind, he said cannot be underestimated and it is the second most essential need of man after food. “As important as housing is to mankind, the cost of housing units is gradually getting out of reach

of the people, especially the low income group.”

The global economic and political crisis does not spare any continent as the effects manifest rising prices of virtually everything. The prices of housing units are continually on the increase and unaffordable especially in developing economies where people are not adequately empowered to acquire houses.”

In the recent past, housing challenges in Africa seem to have defied all solutions. These

Julius Berger-AFP Shines at Design Week Lagos Fadekemi Ajakaiye Organiser of the trail-blazing annual design exhibition, Design Week Lagos, DWL, Mrs Titi Ogufere has described Julius Berger-Abuja Furniture Production, AFP, Nigeria’s leading furniture production company with no equal.

Mrs Ogufere spoke at the 2022 edition of the annual DWL held in Lagos amidst similar encomiums from other high profile visitors to the AFP exhibition stand.

She said, “The Julius Berger AFP pavilion is a great stand with amazing new designs.

Year after year in the Design Week Lagos exhibition, AFP’s product quality and strength keeps pushing the standards higher. AFP is a superb Nigerian brand, consistently setting a global benchmark, indeed for the furniture industry.”

Managing Director of leading technology company, Kawai Technologies, Otunba Akimbo Akin-Olugbade did not mince words in lauding AFP’s

pioneering efforts at innovating designs in the industry. “I have been coming to visit the AFP pavilion for years now. There is something unique about this company. Every year it stands out among every other company displaying their products. AFP always presents high quality, durable and new designs that can compete with the best anywhere in the world. Interestingly, AFP products are all made in Nigeria,” he said.

Head of Designs, AFP, Shamsi Kazaure in a short interview said, “…we are primarily here to display our new furniture designs, introduce them to the trendy clients and give our new designs the right exposure thereby creating more awareness.” Shamsi added that “We are here just to discuss and explore with clients on the new trends as every item of furniture on display here is new.”

The four-day event was declared open by the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal who graced the occasion with some

of his Palace Chiefs. He noted in his comments at AFP stand that: “AFP has been consistent in this business of providing new and exquisite designs of furniture every year. Your beautiful standard continues to improve. Do keep up the good work and service.”

Celebrity Nollywood actress, journalist and singer, Toyin Bello who also visited the AFP pavilion was astounded by the new designs. Her remarks: “AFP! Your products are great. Little wonder, you are of the Julius Berger Group. Keep it up.”

The head of properties (West Africa), Standard Chartered Bank, Anne Rinu, was also a guest amongst many other guests at the AFP pavilion Conceived to present and celebrate the best in contemporary African design across categories, while bringing international field leaders and visitors to experience the most exciting work from the region, the event, which is the third in the series, was founded

by African design advocate, Titi Ogufere.

L-R: CEO of Design Week Lagos, Ms Titi Ogufere; His Royal Majesty, Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal; a palace chief; and Julius Berger AFP Commercial Manager, Mr Norbert Kossmann, at the opening of Design Week Lagos Exhibition 2022 in Lekki Lagos… recently

problems range from lack of holistic approach to housing matters, lack of finance, high cost of building materials, high infrastructural development cost, appropriate implementation of policy direction and affordability challenge among others.

Diverse housing policies have been evolved and reviewed in time past and despite all theories and ideas that had been propagated and shared in so many fora like this in the recent past, the challenges of housing availability, accessibility and affordability are still very much with us.

Certainly, the housing needs of the people are enormous and opportunities abound in the

construction and housing sector but what are we doing with these opportunities amidst high demand without corresponding supply?

How do we address the challenges of housing finance in the continent and why are housing development agencies besieged with unavailability and inadequate housing finance?

Why is our mortgage market crawling when we have a vibrant platform that can create unhindered access to affordable mortgages, as well as an exit point for developers who invested in housing?

Time and situation are changing and we cannot afford to be doing things the way we were

doing it in the past and expect to get results that will solve emerging challenges. It is time therefore to work together as stakeholders to holistically tackle our housing problems. Housing sector has potentials that can be tapped for driving our economic recovery if only we choose to get our act together to tackle the housing deficit and affordability challenge.

It is time to deviate from just talking without matching it with action. Stakeholders in the sector must embrace partnership options to help one another with strong advocacy groups to influence decisions at all levels of policy formulation and implementation.

Akintunde: Govt Should Empower Facility Management Professionals Legally, Politically Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Group Managing Director of Alpha Mead Group, Engr.

Femi Akintunde has urged the government to empower Facility Management Professionals legally, politically, physically and regulatory services for the sector to optimise its latent potential.

This was part of his keynote lecture at the 3rd edition of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter Advocacy Day Conference with the theme, “The Economy of Facility Management: Harnessing the Value and Impact in Nigeria” which took place

in Lagos recently.

Engr. Akintunde said there are a lot of infrastructural developments by the government but that without the enabling environment for Facility Managers, it would amount to colossal waste.

According to him, “Property appreciation depends on the quality of maintenance and there would be a significant economic leap if there is an enabling environment that will make businesses thrive, leading to increased profitability and productivity.”

The Alpha Mead boss encouraged other professionals to continually develop their capacity in the areas of renew-

able energy, as it is cheap and clean for humans. He said this would help to reduce the challenges associated with global climate change. He noted that corporate space management keeps shrinking as office space is being incorporated into residential spaces. In his words, “it is only the savvy facility managers that will make the best of this emerging reality.”

In his welcome speech, the President of IFMA Nigeria chapter, Mr. Segun Adebayo said, there is a need to consider the economy of Facility Management because it will ultimately lead to the transformation of the Nigerian economy.

Efficacy Construction Gets Approval to Develop 100 Affordable Homes Rebecca Ejifoma Family Homes Funds (FHF) Ltd, a sub-Saharan housing fund has approved Efficacy Construction Company Ltd, a real estate firm, to develop affordable homes for lowincome Nigerians.

FHF is a Federal Government social housing initiative as part of its social intervention programme with initial shareholding by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.

Speaking during a media parley in Lagos, the MD/ CEO of Efficacy Construction

Company, Dr Oyeleke Ajiboye hinted that the housing deficit remains a serious challenge in the country, especially in a mega city like Lagos.

He further added that the high rate of inflation in businesses intensified the situation, especially after the global pandemic. “But as a construction and real estate firm, we will continue to support low and medium-income earners to actualise their dream of becoming homeowners.”

Ajiboye also conceded that their partnership with Citycode Mortgage Bank has created a seamless financing process for some cooperative societies that

are beneficiaries of this intervention “Like Interswitch Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited and EG Multipurpose Cooperative Society”.

With this, the MD announced that the Family Home Funds project sited in the Lekki-Epe area would begin with the first 100 houses. “It will keep expanding as more reputable credit-worthy organisations or structured cooperatives are pre-qualified,” says Ajiboye.

He emphasised that the project timeline is between 12 and 24 months, promising that as much as possible, they would continue to scale it up in batches.

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

25

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

N O V E M B E R

S & P INDEX

7 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Nigeria’s Oil Production Deficit Hits 184.1m Barrels in Nine Months

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Compared to Nigeria’s projected oil production of 468.8 million barrels in the first three quarters of 2022, the country was only able to drill 284.70 million barrels at the end of September, a THISDAY review of data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has shown.

The difference in the country’s oil production pegged against its oil benchmark of 1.88 million barrels per day in the 2022 budget, means that the country was only able to produce just about 60 per cent of its

total forecast for the period.

There was still no production from Asarama, Okwori, Ajapa, Anambra basin, Oyo, Ukpokiti, Ima and Akp terminals during the period under review, a development that further hobbled the quantity of oil forecast for drilling in the first nine months of the year. Aje terminal did not also produce a drop of oil.

With a 58.2 million barrels per month estimate approved benchmark by the National Assembly in December 2021, the difference between actual and projected output was a whopping 184.1 million barrels of unproduced oil.

Between the previous month of August and September, crude production fell massively at the Bonny terminal from 749,463 barrels to 167,582 barrels, in Brass, it slumped from 270,932 barrels to 172,814 barrels while at the Qua Iboe terminal it increased just marginally from 4.79 million barrels to 4.97 million barrels for the month of September.

Nigeria’s oil sector challenges have recently worsened, with production hitting a higher record low of 972,394 barrels per day in August and plunging to a new record low of 937,000 in September.

Nigeria’s capacity to drill enough oil to boost its desperately needed foreign exchange even at a time that the commodity has continued to sell around a rarely-seen price of $100, has been severely challenged by a horde of issues.

The decrease below the 1 million bpd mark production in September despite months of assurances of planned improvement by the Nigerian authorities, was more than 10 per cent compared to the previous month.

On a daily basis, production for July 2022 averaged 1.083 million barrels per day; in June the country’s

production was 1.158 million bpd; it was 1.024 million bpd in May; 1.219 million bpd in April, 1.237 million bpd in March; 1.257 million bpd in February and 1.398 million bpd in January.

The quota given by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to the country for the month of August was 1.830 million barrels per day, meaning that Nigeria under-produced to the tune of over 853,606 bpd in September.

Although the country has recently taken a rash of measures to curtail the oil theft menace, they so far

appear to have defied all solutions, as production has continued to decline.

A few of the steps taken so far by the government include the renewed deployment of security personnel in the Niger Delta and the real-time monitoring of activities around the pipelines by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

In addition, the national oil firm has introduced the whistle-blower strategy as well as the handing over of a N4 billion monthly surveillance contract to ex-militant, Government Continued on page 26

FAO Raises Alarm on Fast-spreading Viral Disease Targeting Ruminants in Africa, Asia Gilbert Ekugbe The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has raised the alarm over a fast-spreading viral disease that affects and kills small ruminants, mostly goats and sheep, According to FAO, the viral disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is in more than 66 countries

in Africa, near East and Asia, saying that its global economic impact is estimated at up to $2.1 billion, with over 300 million of the world’s poorest rural families depending on small ruminants for their livelihoods.

FAO made this known when veterinary experts from around the world attended an event at its

headquarters in Rome to mark the publication of a book celebrating the eradication of rinderpest and to launch the next phase of the global fight against PPR also known as sheep and goat plague “While the mortality rate of PPR can be as high as 80 per cent, as seen in unvaccinated herds in Kenya between 2006

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

and 2008, eradicating the disease is possible using current vaccines.

The necessary tools are already available. Diagnostic tests are accessible and there are currently 23 active PPR vaccine producers that have the capacity to produce the doses needed to get rid of the disease worldwide, “FAO said.

The world was declared

SIZE

PRICE

STATE

100KG JIGAWA

NAME OF COMMODITY

N9,000

C O C OA

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

N17,000–N20,000

100KG

ABIA

N23,000

EDO

numerous UN agencies and other international organizations, as well as the outstanding role played by national veterinary services.

The book (‘Rinderpest and its eradication’) also holds important lessons for the fight against PPR, which the UN has Continued on page 27

T O D AY

PRICE

100KG

N23,000–N26,500

free of rinderpest, a viral disease that primarily affected cattle and buffalo, in 2011.

Co-authored by FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE), the book reviews the scientific expertise and activities during decades of eradication efforts, the contributions made by

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

26

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS FOOD

NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

PH

NAME OF COMMODITY

TOMATOES

N19,500 – 25,000

COMMODITIES SIZE

STATE

40KG BENUE

PRICE

N15,000

40KG

KADUNA

N5,000

40KG

ABIA

N18,000

25CL IBADAN N18,000-N22,000 25CL

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

25CL

EDO

N19,000–N21,000

25CL ABUJA

N19500- N25000

25KG LAGOS 40KG DELTA

N9,500 N17000

PRICE

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

N29,000

ABIA

NAME OF COMMODITY

MAIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG ABIA

N14000

50KG LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

FG Develops Framework On Oil, Gas Pipeline Assets Concession Nationwide Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has developed a framework on the concession of oil and gas pipeline assets nationwide Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Gabriel Aduda who disclosed this at a workshop in Abuja, said that the move underlined

the critical importance that pipelines play in the transportation of liquids in the oil and gas industry.

According to a statement from the Director of Information at the Ministry, Enefaa Bob-Manuel, the Permanent Secretary was represented at the workshop by the Director, Midstream, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Felix Okeke,.

He informed that Nigeria has two

crude delivery pipeline networks to the refineries, which include: The Escravos-Warri-Kaduna Pipeline system and the Bonny-Port Harcourt pipeline system, originating from crude export terminals.

“The 5,120 kilometres of pipeline network were also built for the distribution of petroleum products from the four refineries, with a capacity of 445, 000 barrels of crude per day

to storage depots across the country, and about 3, 000 kilometres of Gas pipeline network,” he said.

In his own remarks, the Director Midstream, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, explained that over the years, ownership of pipeline assets in the Nigerian oil and gas industry had been the exclusive preserve of government.

The project, he noted was

conceived with the intention to bring private investors to operate pipeline assets as it is the desire of the ministry to develop a framework for easy and efficient concession of oil and gas pipelines, which will enable private companies to design, construct and operate pipeline infrastructure.

Partner, Zera Advisory and Consulting and a resource person

at the event, Mr. Joe Nwakwue, stated that the quality of service depended on the cost and reliability of the product, hence delivery of the product was of essence to national growth and development.

Also, the Assistant Director, Midstream Department, Mrs. Olamide Adewale in her remarks called for cooperation in making the pipeline concession plan a success

El-Rufai: OCP Africa’s 120-tonne Per Hour Fertiliser Plant Will Boost Agric, Reduce Poverty Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The newly-launched 120-tonne per hour fertiliser blending plant built by OCP Africa, will boost farming activities and reduce poverty in Nigeria, the Kaduna state Governor, Nasir el-Rufai has said.

A statement from the company said the governor spoke in Kaduna while performing the official launch of the plant estimated at over $14 million and which is capable of rolling out some of the most modern fertiliser blends.

The fertiliser blending plant, tagged the ‘Kaduna Centre of Excellence’, the company said, was conceived to stimulate Nigeria’s agro-value-chain and grow food production.

Describing it as a ‘signature investment’, the governor added that the realisation of the OCP vision was evidence that Kaduna state remains a safe haven for investors, reason he said global businesses like are responding to the state’s investment push.

“For us in Kaduna state, every new factory implies more jobs, bringing incomes that help to feed families and reduce poverty in our state. OCP Africa locating a fertiliser blending plant and centre of excellence within Kaduna state also expands the access that our farmers have to fertiliser supplies and agronomic support.,” he noted.

In his welcome remarks, Chief Executive Officer, OCP Africa, Dr Mohamed Jamali, said the plant was a strategic investment tailored toward strengthening Nigeria’s fertiliser industry.

The facility, he said, was established not just to blend fertilisers, but mainly to profoundly

impact the country’s agricultural value chain.

“OCP Africa is committed to contributing to the transformation of food systems in the continent,

and Nigeria bears a strategic focus for our company. That is why in 2016, we partnered with the Fertiliser Producers & Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FPSAN)

under the presidential fertiliser initiative, supported by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), ”Jamali noted.

Also, the Senior Vice President,

OCP Africa, Mr. Mohamed Hettiti, who introduced the key features of the blending plant pointed out that the Kaduna plant has at its core a 120 metric tons per

hour process blending plant with a ‘dosing system’ capable of producing macro and micro nutrients as well as a liquid dosing feature.

Foundation, Firm to Train 10,000 FCT Youths in Solar, CCTV Installation Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Hope Hossana Foundation and the DG-Integrated Solar Energy Services have resolved to train 10,000 youth across the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in solar and Close Circuit Television

(CCTV) camera installation.

The Director General of DGIS, Mr. Chibuike Onyejietu stated this while addressing a press conference in Abuja during the unveiling of the ‘Light Up Abuja Programme.’

He revealed that the six-month training has the backing of the FCT

administration which has made available 12 centres through the FCT Department of Mass Education where the training will take place.

He said: “Amid the low outage in power supply and lack of jobs among our youths, Hope Hossana Foundation in synergy with DGIS

commences a six months intensive training for about 10,000 youths on solar energy installation, CCTV camera and maintenance at the Six Area Councils of Abuja Municipal to include; Jabi, Lugbe, Gwagwalada, Karu, etc.

“This programme will run within a

six-month interval to make sure they understand the A-Z of the solar-CCTV installation and maintenance.”

On her part, the representative of the foundation, Ms Mary Nwachukwu said the foundation believes in giving the youths technical knowledge on how and not just giving them peanuts.

Report: Solar Mini-grids Industry Needs 10 Times Current Scale to Achieve Universal Energy Access Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A new industry roadmap for mini-grids developers has indicated that the industry will need to ramp up its current production scale by at least 10 times to achieve its

planned energy access in the coming years.

The roadmap by Husk Power Systems for mini-grid developers outlined a framework for growth and commercial viability for the emerging markets, as well as detailed metrics for achieving

scale and sustainability.

Mini-grids have been identified by the World Bank as the most cost effective and quickest way to provide modern electricity for nearly 500 million people, most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Yet the industry has yet to

fully scale to its optimal capacity, with only 10 per cent of the needed 200,000 micro-grids currently in operation.

“The new industry roadmap clearly outlines actions needed from private sector companies to realise the full potential of

solar mini-grids. Policy and finance actions are also needed, such as embedding mini-grids into national electrification plans and devising financing solutions more suitable for large portfolios of smaller projects,” the report said.

Fashola Inaugurates Members Of Town Planners Registration Council Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has inaugurated a new 12-member leadership of the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC).

While inaugurating the council members, Fashola charged them not to only

uphold the standard and guidelines of the profession but raise them, stressing that it is only by doing so that the challenges faced in urban planning and development could be surmounted.

He explained that the essence of constituting the council was to ensure that the country has a professional council that

would in turn ensure that the professional town planners are registered as members of the council.

The minister also stated that the 12 members were representatives of their different states, adding that as more members are appointed from other states, they would join the council in accordance with

the law.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Bashir Alkali, noted that the presence of well - disciplined and adequately regulated professionals in the built environment, would improve the quality of output of the professionals and invariably contribute to the quality of

the environment, construction, infrastructure and national development.

He said that, TOPREC, as a critical agency of government under the supervision of the ministry has the statutory mandate to regulate and control the practice of the profession of physical planning in all ramification in Nigeria.

Recently, THISDAY reported that with an estimated average oil price of $100 for the month, the country lost over $756 million to shut-ins in August, according to an analysis of data from the NNPC. Forcados terminal also curtailed supply as a result of the closure of the facility, following reports of a ‘sheen’ in the vicinity of the facility, a number of other facilities have also been negatively impacted. The Forcados asset is operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company

(SPDC).

Bonny terminal in the last few months took a hit, with force majeure declared as a result of the shutdown of the terminal. The facility lost a humongous 3.545 million barrels in July.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer and a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has tried to stamp out sabotage on its pipeline network in recent years without much success.

NIGERIA’S OIL PRODUCTION DEFICIT HITS 184.1M BARRELS IN NINE MONTHS Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

The federal government has variously blamed massive oil theft, vandalism of major assets, dilapidated infrastructure as well as declining upstream investment for its inability to drill more of the commodity.

Whereas the monthly production projection in the 2022 budget was 58.2 million barrels given the 1.88 million barrels per day forecast, the actual output for the period told

a different story.

A breakdown of the data indicated that there has been a steady decline in production levels.

In January, total crude oil production output was 43,353,723 barrels; in February, it was 35,217,997 barrels while in March, production was 38,364,770 barrels.

In April, production fell to 36,576,449 barrels; in May, it fell further to 31,755,488 barrels while in June, July and August, the data showed that output were 34,748,214;

33,600,878 and 30,144,212 million barrels respectively. In September, it further declined to a record 28.1 million barrels.

Speaking on the situation recently, the Group Chief Executive of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari said the increasing rate of vandalism had caused massive disruptions in oil production, noting it was the worst the country had ever witnessed.

“As we speak now, there is massive disruption to our operations as a result of the

activities of vandals and criminals along our pipelines in the Niger Delta area. This has brought down our production to levels as low as we have never seen before,” he stated, but added that the company was “not hopeless.”

But Kyari promised that by October ending, some of the lines that had been dormant due to massive damage done by economic saboteurs will be brought back on stream. It’s unclear if that has happened.

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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NEWS

Despite Fintechs’ Incursion, UBA, Others Generated N203.71bn Income via E-banking in Nine Months Kayode Tokede A total of nine Nigerian banks generated a sum of N203.71 billion from Electronic-business earnings in nine months of 2022 with Access Holdings Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) topping the list of highest earners.

Also, the banks reported N186.3billion in income from digital channels in nine months of 2021, an increase of 9.3 per cent despite challenges from Financial Technology (Fintech) companies.

Digital channels such as mobile banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), Point of Sales (PoS), among others are major sources of non-core banking operation income generation for banks.

Conversely, FBN Holdings, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) reported decline among the Tier-1 banks.

Analysis of the banks’ performance showed that Access Holdings grew its E-business income by 7.4 per cent to N49.4billion in nine months of 2022 compared with N45.98 billion reported in nine months of 2021, while UBA announced N47.96billion increase in its E-business income in nine months of 2022, representing an increase of 14 per cent from N41.9 billion reported in nine months of 2021.

Furthermore, Zenith Bank with about 50 per cent increase in E-

business income to N36.07billion in nine months of 2022 from N23.99billion in nine months of 2021, doubled its earnings from non-core banking operation that eventually impacted on profit before tax.

As FBN Holdings announced 4.9 per cent drop in E-business income to N39.98 billion in nine months of 2022 from N42.02billion in nine months of 2021, GTCO also announced N15.18billion E-business Income in nine months of 2022, a decline of 3.1 per cent from N 15.67billion in nine months of 2021.

The disruption caused by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Payment Service Bank (PSB) licenses to MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa also plunged most Tier-2 banks’ revenue from non-core banking operation but they were able to report stellar performance in profit.

It is worth noting that Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Union Bank of Nigeria and Fidelity recorded drop in E-business income in the period under review.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings reported N1.63 billion E-business income in nine months of 2022, a decline of 36 per cent from N2.53billion in nine months of 2021, while Union Bank of Nigeria announced 16 per cent drop in its E-business income activities to N5.68 billion in nine months as against N6.7billion reported in nine months of 2021.

Also, Fidelity bank announced 7.4 per cent drop in commission on

LIRS: e-Tax Has Enabled Transparency, Accountability in Lagos Sunday Ehigiator The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has revealed that the e-Tax platform launched on October 1, 2019, to simplify tax payment processes for taxpayers, has improved the ease of doing business in the state, and also brought about transparency and accountability within the agency and taxpayers Assistant Director for IT, LIRS, Rasheed Olu-Ajayi stated this during a recent interview with THISDAY Newspaper.

According to him, “the e-Tax application is an end-to-end tax administration system that allows you to enumerate taxpayers, allows you to do registration of taxpayers, taxpayers assessments, annual returns filing, correspondence, ETCC generation, tax auditing, and dashboard interactions with taxpayers.

“The latest development which has been done on it has to do with the bill generation which will allow taxpayers to pay for their taxes from the comfort of their homes without having to go to the bank or any of our tax stations.”

He said the e-Tax system allows taxpayers to have one unique Payer ID which

is attached to either a BVN or NIN. “So it gives us that flexibility to be able to identify every taxpayer at the touch of a button and enables those with multiple payers ID to be merged into the e-Tax platform. This was why we thought of leveraging e-Tax. Also, “the benefit of the e-Tax is in two categories. We have benefits for taxpayers and benefits for the agency as well.

“Taxpayers now enjoy the ease of doing business which is one of the core principles of taxation. So taxpayers now at the touch of a button can sit in the comfort of their home to be able to transact business.”

Olu-Ajayi said the cost of compliance has also been reduced by the e-Tax system.

According to him, “before now, if a taxpayer wants to object for their assessment, they need to go to our nearest tax stations, maybe peradventure has to do some photocopies of all the documents needed from them. But with the e-Tax system now in place, they can object as all data is now digital on the e-Tax platform. So they can just do their objection from the comfort of their homes.”

E-banking activities to N2.24biillion in nine months of 2022 from N2.42billion reported in nine months of 2021.

With about 11 per cent increase, Sterling Bank is the only bank with Tier-2 banks under review with an increase in E-business commission and fees.

The bank reported N5.57billion income from E-business income in nine months of 2022 from N5.02billion reported in nine months of 2021.

Commenting, analyst at Vetiva Research had expressed that the PSB licences issued by CBN to MTN Nigeria and Airtel posed a

threat to some lines of the banks’ businesses in 2022.

Analyst at Vetiva, Joshua Odebisi said, “banks’ focus will continue to shift towards Non-Interest Revenue growth, although headwinds pose a challenge to this strategy. Banks continued to face stiffer competition in 2022 such as Flutterwave, Kuda

Bank, Carbon, PiggyVest, V-Bank, among others are more capitalized having attracted significant funding in recent months. These banks offer zero fees as an attractive selling point, which they hope will sway customers from the banks who have long started monetizing their platforms.”

L-R: General Manager, International Retail Banking & Specialized Finance Subsidiaries, Attijariwafa Bank, Mr. Ismail Douiri; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank, Mr. Mudassir Amary; General Manager, Corporate & Investment Banking, Attijariwafa Bank, Mr. Youssef Rouissi at the signing ceremony of the Commercial Partnership Agreement between Union Bank of Nigeria and Attijariwafa Bank in Casablanca, Morocco… recently

UBA Reiterates Support for SMEs, Maintains Headline Sponsorship of Lagos International Trade Fair United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has reiterated the importance it places on supporting the growth of Small and Medium Scale Businesses as the bank will once again be the headline sponsor of the 2022 edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair(LITF).

UBA has since 2019 been the headline sponsor for this all-important event, and this year’s edition which is the 36th edition, scheduled to hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, between November 4th and 13th, 2022, will also be headlined by the bank.

As always, the LITF is expected to provide an avenue for networking and other business opportunities that would

help catapult business activities in Africa’s busiest city, Lagos State and by extension Nigeria, and as such, UBA would be working closely with the organisers of the event - Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to provide a veritable platform intended to grow both domestic and international trade as well as present participants and visitors with opportunities to seal major business deals.

UBA’s Head of Retail, Digital & Transaction Banking, Sampson Aneke, who spoke about the upcoming event said: “In line with UBA’s unflinching support to the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the bank will be giving special

incentives to businesses who register to attend the fair.”

Aneke, who expressed excitement at the partnership, noted that the bank, with its extensive spread across Africa and other major economies of the world, is always on the lookout for partnership opportunities that will benefit the business environment and the economies where it operates.

On her part, UBA’s Head Brand and Marketing, Uzoamaka Oyeka, said, “As a leader in African trade and promotion of SMEs, we have identified the fair as a genuine avenue for both domestic and international trade exhibitors to promote their businesses through product launches, sales opportunities,

business-to-business meetings with government agencies whilst fostering international trade partnership deals across borders.

The Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Chinyere Alumona, commended UBA for the collaboration with LCCI on the event, pointing out that the bank has consistently remained a dependable partner since 2019 and there are great expectations that this year’s edition would equally yield great benefits, just like the previous ones, owing to the fact that the LITF hosts an average of 2,000 exhibitors annually, with over 200 foreign exhibitors from 16 countries.

FG Urged to Equip SON with More Labs to Boost Export Oluchi Chibuzor Stakeholders in the manufacturing sector have called on federal government to empower Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to establish more testing laboratories across the country to raise the standard of Made in Nigeria products.

The stakeholders’ made the call during the recent flag-off of SON’s free nationwide Caliberation Service for Manufacturers and Micro, Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kano.

The captains of industry, who spoke during the flag-off held at Gerawa Rice Milling Company, said that more labs for SON would boost industrialisation and export of Made in Nigeria products.

According to the stakeholders, the SIN labs in Lagos, Kano, Enugu and Kaduna are not enough give adequate support to the sector.

Speaking, Group Managing Director, Gerawa Rice Milling Company, Alhaji Isa Gerawa, said that setting up more SON laboratories across the country

would increase easy access to testing of products to grow the nation’s economy According to him, SON needs more labs to enable it test a greater percentage of Nigerian products in order to have a niche on the shelves both locally and internationally.

The Director General of the SON, Mallam Farouk Salim said the essence of the exercise is to ensure that manufacturers and MSMEs have easy access weight and measures to boost their productivity.

According to him, the SON has procured modern equipment worth huge amounts of money to commence the exercise and that the system is mobile in order to get all industries calibrated at their door steps, to prevent losses and also to ensure that consumers are not cheated on the other side In his remark, Kano state Regional Director of SON, Mr. Albert Wilberforce, said the exercise was kick-started to boost the morale of indigenous companies to achieve greater heights.

FAO RAISES ALARM ON FAST-SPREADING VIRAL DISEASE TARGETING RUMINANTS IN AFRICA, ASIA vowed to eradicate by 2030. These include the need for strong global leadership, cooperation through continuous dialogue among partners at all levels, standardisation of technical and reporting tools and the supporting role of networks, including of laboratories, vaccinators and surveillance teams. In addition,

the commitment and financial contributions from participating countries is critical for success.

“Eradicating PPR is technically feasible and would contribute significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said. “But we need all partners to work together, backed with

international support and funds, to coordinate joint actions to ensure we work collectively in an efficient, effective and coherent manner.”

PPR was made a priority for global eradication by FAO and WOAH in 2015. The overall approach to this goal is set out in the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy and is planned

through three phases.

The first five-year phase of the programme aimed at engaging every country (including infected countries and those without official recognition of PPR-freedom) in the PPR pathway to eradication. To date, 59 countries and one zone of a country are officially recognised as PPR free. By 2022, 68 of the 76

target countries had developed PPR National Strategic Plans (NSPs) to assess, control and eventually eradicate PPR. The blueprint covers the next phases of the programme, including the second phase (2022 to 2026) and third phase (2027-2030). The second phase aims to consolidate and build on the achievements of

the first phase, taking into account the lessons learned and emerging priorities and best practices in the global development arena.

While the eradication of PPR remains a key focus of this programme, the need to build a robust animal health sector will underpin the implementation of the next phases of the programme.

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Japan Upbeat about Nigeria’s Investment Climate Despite Harsh Operating Environment Gilbert Ekugbe The Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) has expressed optimism about Nigeria’s investment climate amid the harsh operating conditions for businesses in the country.

The Trade Commissioner and Managing Director, JETRO Lagos, Taninami Takuma, explained that Nigeria is a big

market to ignore, maintaining that more Japanese companies are looking forward to investing in the country.

Takuma stated this on the sidelines of the Lagos International Trade Fair opening ceremony at the weekend.

He however, tasked the federal government to as a matter of urgency address the nation’s infrastructure

RMRDC, UNILAG, Others Present Communique to Drive Additive Manufacturing in Nigeria Gilbert Ekugbe The Additive Manufacturing Group (AMG), University of Lagos and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has issued a communique of the first bi-local international conference on Additive Manufacturing (AM) in Nigeria, which highlights the need for Nigeria to embrace AM in its quest to achieve rapid industrial growth The communique, which was publicly presented at the RMRDC House in Lekki area of Lagos, iterated the use of AM processes and the potential of AM to significantly reduce the time and cost involved in tool production, saying that the necessary know-how is developed in case studies and passed to Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) within the framework of technology transfer.

“All SMEs can significantly increase their competitiveness and achieve sustainable business success by using additive manufacturing technology,” it said.

According to the communique, AM offers huge opportunities for rapid industrialisation of Nigeria in view of its innumerable potentials that can enable the country to leapfrog into the 4th Industrial revolution, stressing that AM can help solve increasing youth restiveness across the country due to its unique potentials for youth empowerment and wealth creation in recognition of its wide applications across all the

manufacturing sectors.

“AM is a relatively new technology and therefore requires concerted efforts from both the public and private sectors of the economy in order to drive and sustain it to acceptable scale in the industrial and academic sectors,” the communique urged.

The communique placed RMRDC by virtue of its mandate, to serve as the launchpad to help propagate the potentials of AM amongst the stakeholders, especially in the Organised Private Sector of the nation’s economy the need for cooperation by the government, industry and academia in order to create proper educational roadmaps for indigenisation of AM technology.

It pointed out that it is necessary to place much emphasis on trainthe-trainers’ workshops with the aim of ensuring transferable skills acquistion as against theoretical approaches.

The communique resolved that there is a need for an Inventory of all AM technology practitioners and agencies in Nigeria, including academia working within the space, create awareness campaign across board with a view to showcasing the potentials in AM through design competitions and selective hands-on workshops and increased cooperation amongst government, industry and academia for the purpose of harnessing the gains inherent in AM to develop manufacturing in Nigeria.

NECCI, Stakeholders Urge Africans to Change A f r i c a ’s N a r r a t i v e Gilbert Ekugbe Stakeholders in the public relations and media have charged Africans to change the negative perception of Africa to avoid western world stereotypes.

This was the crux at the recently held 22nd NECCI PR Roundtable themed: “Danger of a single story: Communication and reputational crisis in Africa” held in Lagos.

In her keynote speech, the Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, stated that Africans must rise up to the occasion and disown every stereotyping messaging from the west and begin to create messages of prosperity, invention and development for the continent.

“There are a lot of positive developments in Africa. We must not allow other continents to take ownership of our story. Africa is a continent of prosperity, invention, innovation and development.

Therefore, allowing others to

paint us as a continent of hunger, disease, corruption and referring to us as a developing continent must not be allowed to fester,” Awosika stated.

According to her: “I am not a communication expert but those in the business of communication and messaging must begin to create and generate positive messaging that truly reflects who we are as people because the continent is blessed and endeavored with some of the best natural resources you can find anywhere in the world.

We are ambassadors of our culture.

The ecosystem of Africa is created for a purpose.”

In his paper titled “Danger of a single story: Consequences of Labels and stereotyping. South Africa as a case study”, Mpumelelo Ndumiso Zondi, Head of Brand & Global Client Lead, Edelman, South Africa, said that it looks like we all have an idea of what the African problem is, but the solutions seem to be the challenge.

challenges, while also calling on the need to make foreign exchange accessible for the business community.

He said Nigeria is not an easy market because of lack of infrastructure and insecurity in the country, which he said is increasing the cost of doing business in the country.

“The situation is getting better and we know Nigeria is not a market you can ignore.

There are lots of market opportunities in the country because of its huge population.

This is one of our missions to promote Japanese businesses in the country,” he said.

“JETRO is well known as the government body of Japan to promote trade and investment between Japan and rest of the world. JETRO Lagos was established in 1955 and more than 6 decades, we are trying to support various kinds of business between Nigeria and Japan.

According to him, the business relationship between Nigeria and Japan, in 2021

witnessed export from Nigeria to Japan hit 760 million dollars, while import from Japan to Nigeria stood at 287million dollars.

He pointed out that the major commodities of export from Nigeria to Japan is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which represents about 70 per cent of all exports.

He added that the number of Japanese companies in Nigeria is increasing, saying that the number of Japanese companies has increased from

21 to 45 businesses in 2022.

“It is notable that we recently have several VC funds and startups which are operated by Japanese persons in Nigeria. Nowadays arising innovative startups in Nigeria attract more Japanese businesses persons to invest and they are getting involved in this sector. Not only for VC funds, but trading houses and manufacturers are seeking opportunities to collaborate Nigerian startups,” he stated.

L-R: Representing the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Samad Akesode; representing Chief of Defence Intelligence, AVM. L.I. Oluwatoyin; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; during the CSCS Cybersecurity Conference, Abuja… recently

‘Rigid Financial Conditions, Cost of Loans Challenge to Nigeria’s Food Security’ Oluchi Chibuzor With the continuous hike in food price, recent flooding that ravaged various farmlands; stakeholders in the industry have called on the federal government to pressure the banking sector to review their rigid financial conditions and high cost of loan as it remains the greatest challenges bedeviling the country’s food security.

They also highlighted the need for the Nigerian banking sector as a matter of urgent national issues to consider granting them loans that would cover their working capital beyond their early production stage.

They equally urged the federal government to compel the Development Bank of Nigeria to consider using cooperative society groups

to disburse loans to farmers.

Similarly, they also emphasised the need for federal government to consider deploying The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to farmers across the country to support the agricultural workforce and thereby reduce their working capital.

Speaking at the Vanguard Media Food Business Roundtable in Lagos, the Chairman, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Lagos Chapter, Dr. Adams OluAdebayo, said agriculture in Nigeria without funding is a mere entertainment story.

He stressed that farmers across the country must begin to work collaboratively and network to deliver the country from food shortages, as the money needed for farmers cannot come from the banking

system.

“There is no better time than this season when the economic contraction is fully manifested through the combinations of economic recession and depression occurring at almost within the shortest possible period. That is, a significant decline in economic activity’s spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment status, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales, “he said Speaking, the MD/CEO Bank of Industry Limited, Mr. Olukayode Pitan, noted that the theme of the session - “Incentives for Development of Nigeria’s Agro-Allied Business’ is quite apt given that Nigeria’s population growth rate has been higher than its economic growth for several years now.

According to him, With

a growing population and increasing urbanisation it has become critical that the country harness its agricultural potential for economic growth to further drive productivity and food security in Nigeria.

He added that despite these opportunities for growth and advancement in the agriculture ecosystem, a number of challenges persist, “high cost of inputs (land, fertilizer, high yielding seedlings), low mechanization processes, cheaper imported foods & raw materials, increasing rural - urban migration, poor infrastructure (transportation. storage, imigation etc), insecurity, and flooding amongst others. These hinder the performance of the agriculture sector in Nigeria, exacerbating the rising food insecurity that has affected the country in recent times.”

First Bank to Boost Funding to Mining Sector James Emejo in Abuja First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc has restated its commitment to increasing funding support towards the development and growth of the mining sector.

The bank’s Group Head, Corporate Banking, Energy (Upstream and Midstream), Temitayo Osundosumu, said

the resolution was in line with the institution’s effort to support the economic diversification agenda of the present administration.

Speaking during a panel session at the Nigeria Mining Week, with the theme, “Profiling Nigeria’s Strengths: Achievements and Focus Areas”, in Abuja, he said as

a growing industry, the bank would provide necessary assistance to the former to make it viable.

Osundosumu said, ‘‘First Bank is open for business and will always support the mining sector. So, we are keen to do it. We have the expertise and we will support the mining industry in Nigeria. We want

the miners to speak with us.”

Also, speaking on the panel discussion, the Executive Secretary /Chief Executive, Solid Mineral Development Fund, Hajiya Fatima Umaru Shinkafi, said that although the mining industry in Nigeria is 70 per cent artisanal, the miners could be more productive if they are structured.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L–R: Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Biyi Ashiru-Mobolaji; MD/CEO, Femi Asenuga; Chairman, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi and Company Secretary, Jide Ibitayo, at MUTUAL BENEFITS 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM), in Lagos… recently

COVID-1 9 Still Threat to Economy, Lives, Say FG, NSSF

Retail Management Software Solution for Nigerian SMEs Launched

James Emejo in Abuja

Emma Okonji

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), have solicited for additional funding support to mobilise resources to further boost COVID-19 vaccination across Nigerian communities.

Speaking at the NSSF, NPHCDA CCOVID-19 Evaluation Meeting in Abuja, Director, Disease Control and Immunization/ Programme Manager,

COVID-19 Vaccination War Room, NPHCDA, Mr. Bassey Okposen, told THISDAY that a lot of Nigerians are still sceptical about the reality and existence of the pandemic, adding that it remained a threat to lives and the economy.

He said if anything, people are still dying as a result of COVID-19, adding that globally there are still countries grappling with various outbreaks, stressing that this should be a major concern for the country.

Also, speaking at the

meeting, the General Manager/Chief Executive, Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, said the availability of vaccines does not constitute a challenge, but hesitancy by Nigerians.

She said, “We are advocating more support, more coverage, and more mobilization to reduce vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria because as we know, availability of the vaccines is not a challenge, it is the hesitancy that is the challenge.”

Chinye-Nwoko said, “In

2021, we were approached by the NPHCDA that they needed our support to improve the vaccination coverage. At that time, the coverage in Nigeria was just over 4 million Nigerians being vaccinated for COVID-19 One-Dose vaccination.

On his part, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Adis Mohammad, said the funds the state accessed from NSSF were timely in managing the pandemic.

NANTA Represents Nigeria at World Travel Market The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has said that it is hoisting Nigeria’s flag at the renowned World Travel Market (WTM), London, which opens on November 7, 2022.

NANTA in statement said that it is representing

the country in the fair in the absence of strong government tourism representation, noting that visible representation at WTM is the norm, when global tourism communities gather to tell their stories and attract a chunk of global tourism traffic to their

destinations.

“Like Air Peace, the biggest Nigeria domestic carrier, has done successfully in global aviation circles; standing bold in the absence of a Nigerian state airline to give options in global travel opportunities, NANTA

certainly muscles up its travel trade experience to tell good stories about Nigerian tourism/cultural opportunities and its fledging digital economy to the global gathering of Travel marketers and resource buyers in tourism at the UK market,” NANTA said.

Nigerian Br ewe rie s Adds N ew Energy Drink with Malt to Portfolio Mary Nnah Nigeria’s leading brewery, Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced the addition of a new drink to its non-alcoholic portfolio, Zagg. The new addition is a malt-infused energy drink created for everyone who has an active lifestyle.

Speaking during a press conference in Lagos to announce the new product, the brand’s representative and Portfolio Manager, Non-Alcoholic brands, Elohor Olumide-Awe, said

that Zagg was brewed to help the average Nigerian keep up with the demands of everyday life.

“Regardless of our professions, fields and interests, we all engage in high-energy activities, whether mental or physical, Zagg was created to ensure that we can all keep our energy levels up as we tackle activities and challenges redolent of adulthood”, Elohor added.

“Beyond being an energy booster, Zagg is also a challenge; a dare to be

extraordinary and dynamic,” she stated. “It is quite rare to come across a malt-infused energy drink. We chose to make Zagg a fusion of ingredients that are normally brewed separately to show our consumers that they do not have to be one thing.

They can be jacks of different trades and be masters of them all”, she noted further.

Zagg was made available for purchase from Saturday, 5th November 5th. 2022 to consumers who are looking to fuel their energy.

“Be sure to look out for

the iconic thunderbolt in all the supermarkets and stores near you. We are ensuring widespread distribution of Zagg across the nation to make sure that nobody, no Nigerian is left out of the Zagg experience, she added.

Zagg is an unconventional energy drink brewed to perfection. An experience infused with the goodness of malt and laden with energy bursts to energise every individual that chooses to be dynamic, non-conforming and unbound by rules, just like Zagg.

NeuRMS, a new scalable management software solution for retail businesses, specifically developed for Nigerian business owners, has been launched.

Speaking at the launch event in Lagos recently, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NeuRMS, Mr. Lanre Olaniyan, said the software solution was designed to address challenges faced in managing retail business in Nigeria, and to meet the growing needs of today’s customers in the digital era.

“NeuRMS is a software, developed to help Nigeria’s over 48 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to retain the foreign exchange that they spend on purchasing foreign developed retail management applications.

NeuRMS retail management software helps retail business owners drive more sales with business applications that include point of sale features, inventory management, retail customer relationship management, vendor management, business analytics, business reporting, employee data management, and more. The product has been carefully designed with the peculiarities of Africa’s diverse economies and societies

in mind, a journey that started in 2020, during the global COVID-19 crisis,” Olaniyan said.

Speaking about the key features of the solution, Olaniyan said: “NeuRMS integrates hardware and software solutions to drive retail business efficiencies. It is user friendly and offers great value to retail businesses.”

He listed the key features to include: Point of sales, Report and Analytics, Smart Inventory management and product stock tracking, Supply chain management, Purchase order receiving, Printed or electronic receipts, Multi live cart management, Support multiple payment methods, Vendor management, Multi-store management, and Support for barcode scanners, cash drawers, receipt/tape printers, laser printers, as well as multi-currency and credit cards support.

Speaking on the advantages of using NeuRMS, Emmanuel said it would allow business owners to manage their businesses effectively from a distant location, using the mobile phone or through the personal computer (PC), adding that the software could monitor and manage several businesses in different locations, thereby saving time and reducing theft to the barest minimum.

BAT N i g e r i a R e c e i v e s Recognition, Wins HR Awards Emma Okonji British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria has won several awards in the HR Oscars Awards Ceremony organised by the apex regulatory body for Human Resource Management practice in Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM); clinching four awards in all.

The conference hosted HR professionals and experts from across the continent who shared knowledge, insights, frameworks, experiences and models for leading, building, and managing people to excel and ultimately impact their nations.

BAT came tops in all the three categories, clinching the HR Optimization Award (employee engagement and internal communications initiatives); the HR Inclusion Disability Award (diversity

and inclusion initiatives); and the HR Best Practice Award (fastmoving consumer goods – FMCG). BAT was also named the overall winner for the night, clinching the 2022 HR Oscars Award: a testament to the stellar human capital policies and practices within the company.

Receiving the awards on behalf of BAT, Area Head of Talent, Tunji Solanke, who represented the Area HR Director, BAT West and Central Africa, Sergio Berlanga, thanked the leadership of CIPM and organisers of the awards, stating that employees are the most valuable assets at BAT and that the company will continue to seek the best ways to provide a dynamic, inspiring and purposeful place for them to work and actualize their potential in line with the global ambition to build A Better Tomorrow.

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Onyema: NGX Group Position to Seize Opportunities In All Financing Value Chain Kayode Tokede The Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Mr. Oscar Onyema has expressed that the NGX Group post-demutualisation is focused on leveraging its position to seize opportunities in all aspects of the financing value chain on the continent.

In an interview with CNBC Africa, Onyema, responding to a question on how NGX Group could participate in the mobilisation of financial capital on the continent said,“What we are finding increasingly is exchanges are plugging into the entire financing value chain and the exciting thing for Africa is

blended finance where you go from philanthropy, grants, catalytic financing, impact investing, all the way to your traditional capital markets and by blending them together, we can solve the difficult problems that have exacerbated in Africa; like health, education, infrastructure, energy deficiencies amongst others.”

Speaking on the current role and future of NGX Group in Africa, he explained that the company is investing across the entire capital market value chain and positioning itself as the core infrastructure for facilitating capital raising and efficient deployment to the most crucial needs of the continent.

“Our deployment of technology

is the fresh aspect to what we have previously offered. We have the vantage point that we’re almost starting from ground zero so we can deploy the latest technology to support this. For example, in MTN Nigeria Communications Plc’s public offering where we crowded in 122,000 new investors to the market is a good example.

“If you now layer on top of that the fact that Africa is the fastest growing continent demographically with the largest number of young people who are digital natives. You can begin to see the nexus between the problems emerging and the solutions being deployed, one of which is blockchain technology,”said Onyema.

Abina Urges CBN to Reduce Currency Exchange Period to 45 Days The Chairman and Founder of AACS, a management consulting and policy formulation firm, Dr Ayo Abina, has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should have modeled its currency redesign exchange period from 90 days to 45 days for all amounts in excess of N500,000 while allowing retail exchanges and the significant number of the population depositing below N500,000 to run for an extended period of a minimum of 120 days.

This, Abina claim, would have helped to reduce the disruption to the exchange rate and support the ideals of the policy, which he described as, “good and necessary.”

In AACS’ fortnightly business nugget, AACS Fortnightly, just released with the title, “The Currency Redesign Policy - The Good & The Ugly,” Abina gave four reasons to support the apex

bank’s move to redesign the banknotes.

He said, “It mops up the huge amount of cash that is out of the banking system, currently estimated at N2.73 trillion or about 85 per cent of the total cash in circulation. This is totally bad for monetary stability.

“This policy rids the economy of a lot of ‘black money’, and helps to improve the health of the system and strengthen security, as regulators can monitor funds flow better. It deepens financial inclusion by getting most people into the banking system, a sine qua non to improving credit in the system, and expanding productive activities. t will usher improved cashless policy, and tighten the money supply, which combats inflation.”

He, however, noted that though the policy would be

of immense benefit to the country in the long run, “there are short term unintended ugly consequences, chief of which is now manifesting in the depreciating value of the naira, as the unbanked excess cash in the system chases scarce dollars. Parallel markets at the weekend hovered around N820 and N850, close to a 20 per cent depreciation within one week, and the prognosis is that this would continue in the short run.”

The former banking industry top shot then stated that “The CBN could have managed the policy better by reducing the time frame of the old notes exchange from 90 to 45 days for all amounts in excess of N500k, to ensure that black money does not destabilise the polity too much, and allow exchange of retail amounts of less than N500k to run for 120 days.

Osinbajo, DMO DG to Headline 2022 Nigerian Investors Conference The adverse effect of the RussiaUkraine war on the global economy as well as Nigeria’s fast approaching general elections would be key factors in taking a critical look at the country’s capital market and investment environment at the 10th edition of the annual Nigerian Investors Conference.

Queuing into the imperative, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is scheduled to present the keynote address at the event slated for Thursday, November 10, 2022.

Osinbajo is headlining a large pool of prominent players and seasoned experts participating at the event, including the CEO of the Central

Securities Clearing System Plc, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; CEO of FMDQ Group, Mr. Bola Onadele-Koko; Divisional Head, Capital Market, Nigerian Exchange Limited, Mr. Jude Onyeka Chiemeka and Director General Debt Management Office, Ms. Patience Oniha.

According to the organizers of the event, the Association of Asset Custodians of Nigeria (AACN), the umbrella body for Nigerian custodian banks, the theme of the event is, ‘Nigeria: Capital Flows, Investment and Regulatory Landscapes,’ a subject matter that necessitates a comprehensive unlocking of the country’s economy to enable investors and other stakeholders

tap into such opportunities.

AACN President, Mr. Biodun Adebimpe, said a cardinal objective of the annual meeting is to create awareness about the huge potential that the Nigerian economy presents and to avail investors with relevant information about various sectors of the economy.

Chief Economist for Africa (ex-SA) at J.P Morgan, Mr. Gbolahan Taiwo, will provide a ‘Macroeconomic update on Nigeria’, during the session, Among topics to be dissected at the virtual event (via Zoom, YouTube) include: Capital Flows, Role of Capital Market Players, Financial Market Infrastructure, Investment and Regulatory Changes, etc.

Montblanc Set to Launch ‘On The Move’ Collection Kayode Tokede Montblanc, the leading global Maison for luxury business lifestyle, is proud to launch this new release of exceptional leather goods and accessories into the Nigerian market with longstanding partner, PoloLuxury.

The collection - ‘On the Move’ with Montblanc was inspired by the desire of the Maison to help people embrace the inspirational power of their new-found mobility in the way they move and travel while on their quest to live a life

of purpose and passion. The new collection embodies a new vision of mobility that is at the heart of Montblanc’s DNA: the way we move inspires the mark we make.

“Montblanc has also always understood the power of mobility, to move freely not just physically, but moving ahead to grow and ultimately thrive. With this new collection, we are encouraging a new generation of Montblanc customers to get out and move with passion, curiosity and style, as they pursue what truly matters to

them in life”, explains Vincent Montalescot, Montblanc CMO. Speaking regarding the new collection, Executive Director, PoloLuxury, Jennifer Obayuwana in a statement said: “In our many years of partnership with the Montblanc brand, we have always been inspired by the innovative prowess and excellent craftsmanship of the brand. We are more than delighted to introduce the ‘On the Move’ collection to our tasteful clients and are assured of delivering to them the most wonderful experience.”

L-R: Trade Commissioner/MD, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Lagos, Taninami Takuma, Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment representing President Muhammadu Buhari, Niyi Adebayo, and Managing Director, Marubeni Nigeria Limited, Makoto Nakano at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Lagos International Trade Fair… recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 24 OCTOBER, 2022

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $92.17 a barrel on Monday, compared with $92.09 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022

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MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Close Flat as ASI Settle At 44,269.43 Basis Points The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) traded flat yesterday as the All Share Index (ASI) gained 0.001 per cent to close at 44,269.43 basis points.

Also, the market capitalisation remained at N24.112 trillion the same it closed prior trading day.

The performance showed that gains in Access Holdings, Zenith Bank and United Capital proved strong enough to balance the losses in Geregu

Power, Oando and AIICO Insurance.

As measured by market breadth, market sentiment was negative, as 18 stocks lost relative to 11 gainers. Royal Exchange recorded the highest price gain of 9.72 per cent to close at 79 kobo, per share.

Cutix followed with a gain 6.83 per cent to close at N2.19, while United Capital went up by 5.73 per cent to close at N12.00, per share.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Linkage Assurance went up by 2.56 per cent to close at 40 kobo, while Trans-Nationwide Express appreciated by 2.50 per cent to close at 82 kobo, per share.

On the other hand, Learn Africa led the losers’ chart by 9.52 per cent to close at N1.52, per share, while .

Cornerstone Insurance and R.T Briscoe Nigeria followed with a decline of 9.09 per cent each to close at 40 kobo and

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

30 kobo respectively, per share.

FTN Cocoa processors lost 8.82 per cent to close at 31 kobo, while Caverton Offshore Support Group shed 8.05 per cent to close at 80 kobo, per share.

The total volume of trades declined by 85.4 per cent to 103.266 million units, valued at N2.139 billion, and exchanged in 3,206 deals.

Transactions in the shares of Zenith Bank topped the

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

AS

activity chart with 15.126 million shares valued at N301.366 million. Geregu Power followed with 11.10 million shares worth N1.203 billion, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) traded 8.871 million shares valued at N156.016 million.

FBN Holdings (FBNH) traded 7.388 million shares valued at N73.695 million, while Access Holdings transacted 5.757 million shares worth N46.636

O F

million.

On market stock market performance this week, analysts at United Capital Plc said, “despite the rebound recorded last week, we retain a near-term expectation of persistent sell pressure in the Nigerian equities market and thus recommend the market is only good for investors with patient capital.

We advise speculators to trade with caution.”

0 4 / 1 1 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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TUESDAY, ΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

YEWA COUNCIL OF OBAS ENDORSES ABIODUN...

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Abdlazeez Ishola Adelakun; Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Abepa Joga Orile, Oba Adeyemi Adekeye during the endorsement of Governor Dapo Abiodun for second term by the Yewa Council of Obas at their Council chamber, Ilaro... at the weekend

Labour Party Threatens to Shun Future Presidential Debates If Atiku, Tinubu Fail to Show Up Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Labour Party (LP) yesterday expressed disappointment over the refusal of the presidential candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to honour the presidential town hall series organised by Arise TV at the weekend.

The party also threatened to pull out of further invitations and debates due to the recurring acts of other

candidates flagrantly refusing to honour debates engagements, saying such will no, "longer be acceptable" by its campaign council.

The threat followed a row that ensued between supporters of LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his PDP counterpart, Atiku Abubakar following the absence of the latter who was represented by his running mate, Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa at the engagement.

Speaking during a press briefing at the party's campaign secretariat

in Abuja yesterday, the Director General of LP Presidential Campaign Council, Doyin Okupe, said it was the firm conviction of the party that anything short of the simple, transparent and honest adherence to the basic contract of responsibility falls short of the standards of fair contest and engagement and could only be interpreted as mischievous evasion of the desired interface with the people.

The former presidential spokesperson who flayed the PDP's candidate, said even though the

APC presidential candidate was absent at the event, he was honest enough not to have sent a, "surrogate like Atiku" did.

He said: "I have called you this afternoon to speak on a growing trend of irresponsibility, arrogance and disregard for the electorate, which has now gone beyond coincidence, and is at risk of becoming the norm.

"On Monday 22nd August 2022 the Nigerian Bar Association invited the leading presidential candidates to address her Annual Bar Conference

Jegede Tackles Akeredolu, Says Ondo Getting Worse Under his Govt He's displaying bitterness, self- imposed ignorance, says Ondo governor Fidelis David in Akure Former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede has alleged that Ondo state was getting worse under the current administration of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Jegede who stated this on Sunday while featuring on a radio programme in Akure, claimed that, residents of the state could no longer enjoy those amenities they experienced before the emergence of Akeredolu as the governor of ondo state.

Jegede contested against Akeredolu in 2016 and 2020 governorship elections and lost in the two elections.

Answering questions on his assessment of Akeredolu’s government in the past six years, Jegede said: “Every resident in Ondo state understands because we are all living in this state.

“Are we satisfied with the current situation under the (current administration)? Do we have the kind of roads that Akure deserves ? I am not saying everyone is not trying, but is it enough ? If others are allowed to do it (rule the state) won’t they do better ?

“Look at everything we did when Labour Party and PDP were in power, look at the shuttle buses for students, look at the schools then and free medical services that

people enjoyed in government hospitals.

“Are they existing now? Look at the very little fees being paid by students of state owned tertiary institution, it is now outrageous.

The people have experienced the two governments and can say that they are not satisfied with the current situation,” he added.

The PDP chieftain also alleged that private sector driven jobs promised by Akeredolu have not been fulfilled.

“The hospitals we have in Akure and Ondo, are they running very well? Go and look at it. I leave it for now. On the road construction that everyone is talking about, when Labour Party was in party, Arakale road was turned to double carriage way, we rehabilitated Oba Adesida road. When PDP was in power, street lights were installed everywhere. Now compared the two governments now in that aspect.

“See, to construct roads is not difficult at all. The local government also rehabilitates, even individual construct roads. So all these roads they claim they construct is the normal thing a responsible government should do. How are they spending public funds? It is out of place celebrating government for doing normal thing it should do.”

However, in his reaction, Akeredolu said Jegede's submission that Ondo State was worst under

his government could only come from a place of bitterness and self- imposed ignorance, which has clearly exposed his hypocrisy under the guise of politics.

Akeredolu who reacted through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde said: "The spurious efforts of the opposition PDP leader, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede to demean the achievements and strides recorded by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration have clearly exposed his hypocrisy under the guise of politics. His puerile

submission that Ondo State is worst under Governor Akeredolu’s government can only come from a place of bitterness and self- imposed ignorance.

"For the records, the Akeredolu administration has completed 274.11km of roads across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State while 120km are ongoing across the three senatorial districts.

Mr. Jegede’s allusion to Akure as the basis for his assessment of the Akeredolu’s administration exposed his hypocrisy and gross ignorance.

and the Nigerian people at this epic occasion, the presidential candidate of the APC sent his vice presidential candidate to represent him.

"This sparked a protest and rowdy situation by supporters of the other presidential candidates present.

"The Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and the Presidential Campaign Organisation totally condemn this disregard for the electorate and the people, by these absentee presidential candidates.

"The decision to present oneself as a presidential candidate does not start and end with the purchase, submission of forms and certification as a candidate by INEC.” Speaking further, he said it, “also forebodes on the candidate a high degree of responsibility to present himself for open discussions and explanations on his policies, visions and plans for the people to enable a better understanding and engender an appropriate choice by the electorate in the coming elections.

"These candidates who have assumed the position of emperors and rulers, and not responsible politicians, who are willing to serve and listen to the people, place their position of trust in critical jeopardy by their high horse of arrogance and non-accountability.

"The joint ticket in a presidential election and in a substantive presidency is a constitutional provision for temporary or permanent substitution, where the Presidential candidate is primarily incapacitated

or otherwise critically unavailable.”

Okupe said his party’s presidential candidates would only be prepared in this election season to mount, "the podium with their peers and not with any surrogates or diversionary delegated representation.”

"Let us make it clear today, that these recurring acts will no longer be acceptable to the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation.

"We are the ones calling for the change of the system, we cannot participate in the subversion of the system. That will be a total contradiction of our promise to create a new Nigeria. If anybody want to organise a debate and want to base it on deceit, we will not be part of it. Whatever you say and we all agree we will keep to it and we will stand by it.

"It is important that those who want to rule us to tell us what they want to do. You can't sit down in one place, give money to those who will go out for you and say yes he's our man. In some places, they will say Ah, don't worry you have already won. We have gone beyond that and people must ask questions and the candidates must be accountable. This is how societies grow, this is how societies improve.”

He concluded by saying that the party, "firmly and irrevocably call on the Nigerian people, in entirety, to reject any presidential candidate that habitually and deceptively treats the rights of the people to hear directly from him, with disrespect, dishonour and ignominy”

Afreximbank, BOI Sign MoU to Promote Trade, Investments Dike Onwuamaeze The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BOI) for the establishment of a Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF) that would provide early-stage project preparatory financing and technical support services to public and private sector entities operating in Nigeria.

In the MoU, which was signed on November 3, 2022, Afreximbank and the BOI would mobilise resources to unlock investments into sectors such as energy, transport and logistics, ICT, special economic zones. industrial parks, solid minerals and services, including healthcare, hospitality and tourism, and the creative economy.

The MoU, which was signed by Director of Export Development, Afreximbank, Mrs. Oluranti Doherty, and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOI, Mr. Olukayode A. Pitan, was intended to de-risk projects and attract critical private sector investments that would stimulate industrialisation and spur value-added exports in the country.

A joint press release that was issued by Afreximbank and the BOI explained that the JPPF constituted a direct response to complement Nigeria’s initiatives to address the twin challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and existing macroeconomic challenges associated with the country’s dependence on crude oil revenues.

Crude oil accounts for 50 per cent of consolidated Nigeria’s government revenues, 30 per cent of banking sector credit and 90 per cent of export earnings.

Commenting on the JPPF, the Executive Vice President -IntraAfrican Trade, Afreximbank, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, said: “We are quite pleased by this opportunity to, once again, partner with BOI in proffering a solution to one of the major challenges that have impeded the flow of investments that will boost Nigeria’s industrial development and export-oriented sectors.

“I am particularly pleased that Afreximbank and BOI are boldly venturing upstream to help investors develop well-structured projects that meet market standards. This

intervention is timely as the JPPF will play a catalytic role in accelerating the diversification of the Nigerian economy by ensuring a steady flow of bankable projects in priority tradable sectors in a timely manner.

“In addition to enhancing bankability, the JPPF will, on a caseby-case basis, undertake feasibility studies to assess the viability of accessing markets in the sub-region, thereby promoting intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.” Speaking in the same vein, Pitan said: “In line with our commitment to driving Nigeria’s industrial transformation, we are delighted to commence this partnership which stands to achieve significant sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

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NEWS

UNVEILING ZAGG ENERGY MALT DRINK...

L-R: Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Sade Morgan; Company Secretary/Legal Director, Uaboi Agbebaku; Portfolio Manager, Non-Alcoholic Brands, Elohor Olumide-Awe, and HR Director, Grace PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA Omo-Lamai at a press briefing for the unveiling of Zagg Energy Malt drink in Lagos...Friday

PDP Crisis: I Won’t Support Atiku’s Presidential Bid, Says Ortom Reveals he’s written his will, ready to die for his people G-5 governors commission projects in Benue Road leading to Ayu’s house named after Wike Chuks Okocha in Abuja and George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has given reasons he would not support the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, saying he would not support a candidate, who saw nothing wrong in the killing of innocent Benue people by armed Fulani herdsmen.

Ortom spoke in Makurdi during the banquet organised by the state for the visiting G-5 governors, including Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Nyesom Wike of Rivers state.

The G-5 governors, had come to inaugurate some projects in the state, including roads, while one of the roads leading to the residence of the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, was named after Wike.

The Benue governor, however, lamented the recent killing of 18 persons in Guma, his local government area, where a young man in their 20s had his eyes plucked off and another had his hand chopped off by armed herdsmen as subliminal message to him, demanding the abrogation of the Benue grazing law.

The governor said, “My people are being killed and you want me to be quiet; you want me to be slave to a Fulani. It’s better I die.

Anybody supporting Atiku in

Benue is an enemy of the state.

“Some are threatening, my tenure ends in May and you can do whatever you want if you think you have the powers.

I have written my will. When I gave it to my wife, she cried all night. If I die at 62, it will not be new. Many of my mates had gone long time ago and If I die today, I will be fulfilled but let it be on recorded that I died resisting the invasion and killing of my people.

“I will never support a Fulani man to become president. If there is another person, who is ready to work with me and ensure the security of my people, I will work with him,” Ortom said.

On his relationship with Wike, he said, “Many have wondered why I have chosen to swim with Wike. Many have wondered why I have chosen to walk with him in the midst of storms and threats and also fire and brimstone. Many have wondered, but I still remember that this is the man, who stood with us during our trying moments.

“He came out and did not fear the threats about federal might and what have you. I will stand with him and I remain with him, because I am not a betrayer. When I was attacked by the Fulani terrorists.

Wike came out and told Nigerians that if you kill Ortom, you have killed Nigeria.

“He was very firm in condemning that attack. So, we appreciate him. Here is a man that did not keep quiet, when Benue State was

in turmoil and Benue State was in travails. When Benue State was under siege and challenged by the same Fulani herdsmen.

“When Benue was under siege, he donated N250 million and he subsequently spent over N700 million to support the state to tackle the humanitarian crisis occasioned by the unwarranted attacks. He did not stop at that. He convinced Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom to also assist the state and he donated N200 million to us,” he said.

According to him, when two markets in the state were burnt, Wike donated N200 million each.

“Is he not a worthy friend? He is a worthy friend and we are working together to liberate the country.”

Wike, in his remarks, said the G-5 Governors of the PDP, which he christened the ‘Integrity Governors’ were on a mission to rescue Nigeria, and not seeking personal aggrandisement or fight anybody but only asking for the right things to be done.

He said it was incumbent on anyone, who entered into an agreement to respect it, saying, “All we are asking for is inclusivity, justice, equity and fairness in the PDP. The way we are, people are trying to see how they can break us, but they cannot. We are bonded to save Nigeria.

“These are governors, who can come out and tell you black is black, yes is yes, because leadership is about integrity and anyone, who

does not show integrity should not be trusted. And anyone who does not respect agreements, when he does not have power, you cannot expect him to respect an agreement, when he has power.”

He described Ortom “as a good man” and charged the people of the state to support him, noting that he had stood and given his all for his people.

Meanwhile, the G-5 governors, yesterday, commissioned several roads and electrification projects in Benue State, even as they lauded Ortom for the projects.

Wike acknowledged the importance of roads for economic

gains, saying, as an agricultural state, “If you don’t have roads to take your farm produce to the city, it makes no sense.

“So, for this road and electrification, you have made life simple and easier for the people and that is what good governance is all about,” stressing that. We want to say we are proud of you that you have made promises and today is a promise fulfilled.”

Makinde commended Ortom, saying, “Anywhere road goes, development follows.”

Ugwuanyi, in his short speech before commissioning the JKN Waku Road, described Ortom

House Clerk Inducts 89 New Staff, Sets Legislative Standard Udora Orizu in Abuja Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, has said for there to be effective service delivery in the legislature, staff must be diligent and responsive to the needs of the political class within the institution, adding that without them, nothing could be achieved.

Danzaria stated this while speaking to journalists shortly after the induction ceremony of 89 newly

recruited staff of the National Assembly posted to the House of Representatives.

He said the induction was a necessary process of exposing the new staff to the rudiments of legislative practices and procedures, as future leaders, who would take over the bureaucracy in the nearest future.

"My charge on them is for them to be patient, to be responsive and diligent, because these are the qualities that the entire National

2023: Yewa Monarchs, Leaders Endorse Abiodun for Second Term

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Traditional rulers and leaders of thoughts in Yewaland have declared support for the reelection bid of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in the 2023 election, saying that his tenure had brought tremendous development to Yewaland and Ogun West Senatorial District.

The traditional rulers expressed their minds, at the secretariat of the Yewa Traditional Council in Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa South Local Government.

Speaking on behalf of the 42 monarchs, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, said all the royal fathers unanimously opted

for Abiodun after they had told all their sons vying for the number one position to step down their ambition.

The monarch, while berating the decision of a governorship candidate from the axis to reject the invitation of the council on the need to step down his governorship ambition, said his refusal was a total embarrassment to the council Olugbenle, however, said the royal fathers were not perturbed by the candidate's rude behaviour, rather, they are solidly behind Abiodun who he described as, "a man of his words."

He said, "Since you became governor, we have seen tremendous changes and development in the

state of our infrastructure here in Yewaland.

“You are a man of your words, what you promised to do, you have done, your success at the polls come 2023 is a done deal, we are with you."

The monarch, who commended the governor for his effort at ensuring the timely completion of the Ilaro-Owode road, said the royal fathers would join their voices with that of the state government to request for the funds spent to repair the road.

Prior to the declaration to endorse Abiodun, traditional rulers from each of the five local governments, that constitute Ogun West, said the governor had made good his

“as a gift to Benue” and that he has stood for his people.

“Electricity is a strong enabler that drives economic development.

Our expectation is that the people that live along this 14-kilometre that is covered by this project will be given impetus for greater economic growth,” he said.

The projects commissioned included five different roads, and electrification projects. The roads were the 9.4 km Tse- Poor Apir Road renamed Ayua Num road executed at 1.2 billion and the 7.7km Yaikyo- Tse Poor Road, now Chief Sule Abenga Road at cost of 1.4 billion.

promise with several developmental projects in their domains Speaking, the Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, while commending the governor for bringing development to the town of Imeko through the completion of the Oke-Ola road, said the people of the town were solidly behind the governor and would ensure his victory at the polls Also, the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Luqmon Kuoye, lauded the governor for the yellow roof initiative which has led to the rehabilitation of so many public schools and health centres in the state, particularly in Ogun West.

In his response, Abiodun thanked the traditional rulers

for their support and prayers, and pledged to accelerate development in Yewaland, noting that the senatorial district being the industrial hub of the nation has contributed tremendously to the growth of the state.

While appreciating the Yewa Council of Obas for their singular action of endorsing his second term ambition, the governor promised to continue to work hard towards the socio-economic development of the state.

Abiodun, who restated his promise not to develop any part of the state at the expense of other parts, stated that his commitment to ensure development of Yewaland, was unwavering

Assembly as an institution requires of them, because we believe that in years to come, they are the ones to take over from us. We are preparing them for leadership, we are preparing them for take-over soon enough.

"It's a normal thing just like we usually do for newly elected legislators. They come, they go through an induction, because in the National Assembly, we have this history of losing some members before the next Assembly, so also here we have about 200 that got into the National Assembly sometime early this year.

“So, we, in the House of Representatives, got our own share of 89 staff and we are taking them through the rudiments of legislative practices and procedures.

We are also showing them that there are certain things they will not understand until we give them on-the-job training. Also, they need to understand the permutations of the civil service, which is different from their various background, so this is the essence of this induction," he said.

Delivering his address earlier, the Clerk took the inductees through the organisational structure of the bureaucracy and the extent of its shared responsibilities through the various directorates and departments under them.

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NEWS

BAYELSA 2023 APPROPRIATION BILL...

L-R: Deputy Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Micheal Ogbere; Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; Governor Douye Diri and Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, after the Governor presented the 2023 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly in Yenagoa...yesterday

2023: CJN Issues Stern Warning to Election Tribunal Judges Says no room for acts of recklessness, abuse of power INEC laments increase in pre-election trials Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has sounded out a note of warning to judges that would be handling petitions that may likely arise from the conduct of the 2023 elections to put the interest of the country above parochial and sentimental conclusions.

Justice Ariwoola, who issued the warning at the Capacity Building Workshop and formal

inauguration of members of the 2023 Election Petition Tribunals across the country, stressed that his administration "will not condone any act of recklessness, abuse of power and public trust", adding that the judges should see their membership of the tribunals as a rare privilege for which they must give a good account of themselves.

"Your Lordships should count yourselves worthy to be so entrusted with this humongous responsibility of deciding the fate of those that would be contesting

elections into various political offices in the country in 2023.

"Though judicial officers are not known to possess some supernatural powers to perform wonders, I can confidently assure you that the society in which you operate will certainly expect the impossible from you as members of Election Petition Tribunals," the CJN noted.

He explained that aside the expectations of the public, the judges should prepare themselves for all sorts of verbal assault and

uncomplimentary remarks from some aggrieved politicians and their supporters but must remain steadfast and focused.

His words: "Trust is a burden and you must discharge it with utmost sincerity, honesty and transparency, because conscience is an open wound healed only by truth. You must rise and operate above every sentiment that might play out in the course of your adjudication in the various tribunals.

"There is no doubt that temptations, tribulations, intimidations

Lawmakers Decry Absence of MDAs, 27 States at Ecological Fund Probe, Issue Ultimatum Udora Orizu in Abuja Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Ecological Fund investigating the total consolidated accruals and utilisation of the fund yesterday frowned at the absence of key government agencies and majority of the states to defend the amount they received and how it was spent.

The lawmakers had in June while adopting a motion, resolved to look into the fund utilisation.

At the hearing out of the 36 states only Niger, Enugu, Borno, Imo, Jigawa, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau and Kwara and FCT sent representatives.

Also majority of the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government who were invited didn't show up, neither did they send representatives.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the development, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka said MDAs that refused to appear or refused to respond to letters were willing to test the capacity of the parliament and would not be disappointed.

Listing the names of individuals, MDAs and institution that refused to attend, he said the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Niger Delta, NEMA, Director General of Nigeria Governor’s Forum, Aishishana Okauru should respond to their letters and unfailingly appear on November 9th, with required documents.

He added that the committee would recover the fund and pump

it back into the main ecological account to enable local and states governments benefit.

Isiaka said: “The National Emergency Management Agency didn’t reply to our three letters.

The MD of NEMA should respond to all the monies allocated to the agency and hereby summoned to appear on November 9th.

“The Federal Ministry of Health, didn’t respond to our letters, we demand response to the letter on or before November 6th. We invited the Director General of Nigeria Governor’s Forum, Aishishana Okauru and he’s not here nor did he send a representative. We are therefore re-inviting him to appear Wednesday November 9th."

Addressing the lawmakers, various agencies, states present

took turns to explain how much they've received so far and what was done with it.

In his presentation, the Accountant -General, Plateau State, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil said, "We were able to come with our inflows from March 2021 to October 2022 and the total inflows in Plateau State is N1,328,521, 802.48. Out of this amount, the local government portion is N425, 103,27.79.

“The disbursement report to local government is attached. Like it's been said, from 2014, Mr. Chairman, we have not able to lay our hands on the inflows because what we have seeing from FAAC now is what came from 2021 to date."

Also, Commissioner for Finance, Jigawa State and Secretary of Forum of Commissioners of Finance of

Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida Umar explained that the state received N4 billion in 2014 in two tranches of N2 billion.

According to him, from 2021, when the disbursement continued N1.796 billion for State and N1.5 billion for local government from which N1.1 billion was expended.

The Acting Accountant General of the Federation Sylvia Okolieboh, who was represented by the Director Federation Revenue and Special Account Abdulkareem Ibrahim clarified that Ecological fund was incorporated in the monthly allocation.

On his part, the Director Pollution Control at the Ecological Project Office, Clinton Igwe stated that the office received only money meant for the execution of key projects.

and even sheer blackmails may be unleashed on you but as thoroughbred judicial officers, you must guide your loins to rise above them and do what will earn you accolades from your creator and also from the court of public opinions," Meanwhile, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),Mahmood Yakubu, has lamented the rise in litigations arising from the conduct of primaries for the nomination of candidates by political parties.

"So far, we have been joined in about 600 cases relating to the conduct of recent primaries and nomination of candidates by political parties for the 2023 general election. Only two weeks ago, one political party served about 70 court processes on the Commission in one day seeking to compel us to accept the nomination or substitution of its candidates long after the deadline provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 general election had elapsed," Yakubu said.

According to him, the implication of the court cases "is that we are still dealing with issues of nomination of candidates thereby eating into vital time for preparation of and procurement of sensitive materials for the materials. It also means that the Courts will be dealing with the same issues long after the general election."

While assuring the people that the Commission would continue to abide by court orders, the INEC boss stressed the importance of

strict adherence to the principle of stare decisis.

"A situation where a trial court sought to vary the judgment of the Supreme Court by ordering the Commission to issue a Certificate of Return in favour of a candidate, whose emergence during the party’s primary election has been nullified by the apex Court (and affirmed by the same Court following an application for clarification) put the Commission in a difficult situation.

"The matter is currently being litigated again, possibly all the way back to the Supreme Court, thereby wasting the precious time of the Courts, which are already inundated by even the most improbable cases by litigation.”

In her remarks, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-mensem, stated that democracy was not just about the conduct of elections but the protection of the outcome of such election by way of adjudication of dispute arising therefrom.

She, therefore, charged the judges that would be adjudicating in the 2023 general election not to allow themselves to be used as conduit pipes.

"You must stand up to your values and good conscience at all times. Your decisions must be based on your convictions and the law that you swore to uphold.

"By the nature of your office, all sorts of avarice will come your way but you must be in total control of your courts and refuse to be used as tools to truncate the process," she said.

NBC Orders Multichoice to Sublicence Channels to Metro Digital Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt In pursuant to a judgement of the Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt on July 13, 2022, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed Multichoice Nigeria Limited to sublicence some of its channels to Metro Digital.

The directive was followed based on provisions of the National Broadcasting Commission Code as amended.

In the letter dated October 25, 2022, and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Multichoice and signed by George Obi, Head

of Legal of NBC on behalf of the Director General, NBC stated: "You are hereby directed to comply with the 6th edition of the NBC Code as amended pursuant to Metrodigital's request for channels sublicensing as ordered by the Federal Court of Appeal".

Speaking on the development yesterday in Port Harcourt, Managing Director of Metro Digital, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwafor, commended the role played by the federal government, the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and NBC towards the reposition-

ing of the industry and end the monopolistic practices that have held the industry down for a long time.

Nwafor also lauded the Nigerian judiciary for the thorough and painstaking job to ensure sanity and a level playing field in the Nigeria broadcasting industry.

According to the Metro Digital boss, "The growth of the broadcast industry in Nigeria has been limited due to monopolistic practices of the dominant player in the industry.

“AIl indigenous companies licenced in the last 20 years did not succeed because of these practices

which includes content exclusivity, warehousing etc.

"The federal government of Nigeria realising the danger and daunting challenges posed by these monopolistic practices took steps to address the problem through amendment to the broadcast code.

"The code outlawed foreign and domestic acquisition of contents on the basis of exclusivity. Furthermore, licensees and broadcasters are obligated to sublicense channels to other licensees or broadcasters for commercially agreeable fees."

He further noted that, "In tune with the foregoing, the appeal court

sitting in Port Harcourt, in response to the appeal filed by Metro Digital Limited, ordered the regulatory body, NBC to execute its statutory functions in accordance with the provisions of the code."

Nwafor added that with the announcement of NBC complying to the court order, "The end of monopoly in Nigerian broadcasting industry will enhance competition, innovation and quality of service delivery.

“The industry will experience rapid growth and the consumers will benefit from the competitive pricing that follows".

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NEWS

CHALLENGER BANK OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER…

L-R: Head Brand and Communication, Parallex Bank, Mr. Ademola Adeshola; Managing Director, Mr. Olufemi Bakre; Director General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Mr. Adewale Oyerinde, and Head, Agency Banking, Parallex Bank, Mr. Abdulwasiu Popoola, at the award of Challenger Bank of the Year to Parallex Bank during the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

Gunmen Attack Soldiers in Imo Community The 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Obinze, Owerri, said gunmen yesterday attacked its officers on patrol at Izombe community, Oguta council

area of Imo. The Brigade’s Spokesperson, Capt. Joseph Akubo, confirmed this while speaking with newsmen in Owerri.

Akubo said that the incident happened after soldiers were drafted to the oil-rich community to checkmate youth restiveness and other crimes in the area.

He explained that some unidentified persons on Saturday attacked and killed

a truck driver, prompting increased patrol by the soldiers.

“The soldiers were on routine patrol in the area when they came under attack by armed youths.

“Two days ago, a truck driver was killed; coupled

with other criminal activities which had necessitated increased patrol.

“The soldiers were on normal patrol when they came under attack,” he said.

Akubo, however, said he had yet to confirm the casualty figure as the youths

were still engaging the soldiers in fierce battle.

“I cannot tell you the casualty figure because the armed youths are still attacking our men who are taking cover in the buildings in the neighbourhood,” he said.

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

be a mistake.

A statement that was jointly issued by both the National President of CONUA, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu; the National Secretary of CONUA, Dr. Henry Oripeloye and the National Publicity Secretary of CONUA, Dr. Ernest Nwoke, and made available to THISDAY in Osogbo yesterday from its national secretariat, Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife, stated categorically that CONUA was never on strike and this being the case, the issue of “No Work No Pay” ought not apply to its members.

They stated that “CONUA members were only unable to perform their full duties because of the lock-out as the students were asked to vacate the universities and the system was shut down.”

The statement noted that

“accordingly, Section 43 (1b) of the Trade Disputes Act CAP. T8, stated “where any employer locks out his workers, the workers shall be entitled to wages and any other applicable remuneration for the period of the lock-out and the period of the lock-out shall not prejudicially affect any rights of the workers being rights dependent on the continuity of period of employment.”

GAVI Spends $50 m on Healthcare Intervention in 8 States CONUA Urges FG to Pay Members’withheld Salaries culminate in improve human Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) has said that it earmarked $50 million to strengthen healthcare in Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Gombe, Taraba, Niger and Bayelsa states.

The GAVI Senior Manager, Health Systems Strengthening(HSS), Dr. Ibrahim Ali Mohammed, who disclosed this at a second bi-annual review meeting on Monday in Abuja said $50 million was earmarked by GAVI to implement programmes in the eight states that would

capital, governance, supply chain and other areas, that would ultimately strengthen health care system in the states.

Mohammed said the initiative was conceived in 2019. “$50 million was earmarked for the project and the implementation started this year and will run till 2024.

“The idea is to strengthened health systems particularly at the sub-national level. Ordinarily, we carry out interventions at country level, but this time, we changed approach because it became necessary.”

IPC, NAWOJ Train Female Journalists on Election Reporting Blessing Ibunge inPortHarcourt International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have commenced on two-day skill enhancing and capacity building training for female journalists ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The training, which commenced in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, witnessed the participation of female journalists selected from across three geographical areas of the country; South-south, South-east

and South-west.

According to the Executive Director of IPC, Dr. Lanre Arogundade, the training workshop was designed to further enhance the skill of the participants on professional, impactful, inclusive and public interest reporting of the electoral processes and the 2023 elections.

Arogundade expressed happiness that the training was organised in partnership with NAWOJ, stressing centre’s joint commitment to building the capacity of female journalists so that they could be change agents in Nigeria’s democratic process.

A’Ibom Commissioner Supports 39 SMEs to Mark Birthday

Okon Bassey inUyo

Thirty-nine small and medium scale businesses (SMEs)in Akwa Ibom State have benefited from business grant doled out by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong to mark his 39th birthday yesterday.

The beneficiaries, drawn from the 31 Local Government Areas of the state included 13 male and 26 female youths who are into hairdressing, paint production, barbing, catering services, fashion design, fragrance production,

baking, shoe making, farming, soap making and other businesses..

Also to mark his special day, the Commissioner donated a new worship center to the Church of Christ, Edem Iyere in Ikono Local Government Area.

Few months ago, the Commissioner had donated a church building to the Church of Christ, Awa Iman in Onna Local Government Area and had called on the beneficiaries to intensify prayers for Governor Udom Emmanuel especially as his administration begins to countdown to May 29, 2023.

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA), yesterday called on the federal government to pay its members their withheld salaries without delay.

The CONUA also stated that since it did not declare the strike as such, lumping its members together with a “No Work No Pay” policy as the federal government must

NNPC, TotalEnergies Inaugurate Women Devt, Skills Acquisition Centre in Kwara Peter Uzoho In furtherance of their corporate social responsibilities, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, operator of the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 130, and partners have inaugurated and handed over a women development and skills acquisition center in Omu-Aran, Kwara State.

The facility, according to

TotalEnergies, was designed to provide an enabling environment for women and young people to learn skills and create employment in Omu-Aran.

The oil major in a statement issued yesterday, said the selfsustaining skill acquisition center was expected to reduce women and youth unemployment and restiveness in the communities around the state as well as generate income.

The fully equipped development

center consists of four training halls for fashion designing and tailoring, catering and hotel management, computer training and mixed training facility, sick-bay, over 400 seater auditorium and lounge supported with a solar power generating unit of four training halls for fashion designing and tailoring, catering and hotel management, computer training and mixed training facility, sick-bay, over 400 seater auditorium and lounge supported with a solar

power generating unit and a 40KVA generator.

In his welcome address at the inauguration and handover ceremony, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, who was represented by Mrs. Bunmi Lawson, said the project which aligns with sustainable development goals, (SDGs), was part of efforts to mitigate various identified gaps.

2023: I’m Committed to PDP’s Victory in Enugu, Says Asadu Putting an end to speculations about his alleged divergent political interest, Rt. Hon. Dr. Pat Asadu, the lawmaker representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has organised a solidarity rally in support of all the candidates of the PDP and pledged to mobilise resources and teeming supporters

to ensure a landslide victory for the party at the polls come 2023.

Asadu debunked the speculations that he was working against the PDP and its candidates in the state, stressing that he is totally for the PDP..vThe federal lawmaker added that he has benefited immensely from the party since 1999 having served as commissioner in various ministries and spent 16 years in the Federal

House of Representatives.

Speaking at the rally which was graced by the Governor of Enugu State and candidate of the PDP for Enugu North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, said the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, his running mate, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, the PDP candidate for Enugu

West Senatorial District, Engr. Osita Ngwu, the party’s candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chief Engr. Vita Abba, those of Igbo-Eze North/Udenu and Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani federal constituencies, Hon. Engr. Simon Atigwe and Rt. Hon. Dr. Martins Oke respectively, among others, Asadu said: “I am committed to PDP and I will vote and work for PDP from president to councillor.”

Supporters Throng Kogi as APC Unveils Candidates Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Ahead of 2023 general elections, thousands of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State trooped out on the streets of Ehima for a solidarity walk for all APC candidates, from presidential to state house of assembly.

The supporters in their thousands, who were chanting

various solidarity songs, took off from Obangede junction and ended the solidarity walk at Ikuehi, where party members and their huge crowd of supporters pledged their support for the APC government at the centre and for Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

The Kogi indigenes said in all the years of the existence

of the state, no governor had impacted so positively on critical sectors as Bello had done.

At Ikuehi, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, .Ozigi Salami Deedat, addressed the crowd, commending them for showing love to the party and assuring them of sustained developmental achievements

of the Alhaji Yahaya Bello-led administration in Kogi State, Kogi Central and Ihima district.

He called on the people of Ihima to vote for all the party’s candidates, from president to state assembly, noting that the tumultuous crowd had shown that the people were truly happy with the achievements of the government and not listening to concocted stories.

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NEWSXTRA

EMPOWERING SMALL SCALE BUSINESSES…

L-R: Founder, NeuRMS, Lanre Olaniyan; Relationship Manager, Mizpeh Solomon; Communication Manager, Bolanle Ogunfowokan, and Chief Technology Officer, Moses Emmanuel, at the official launch of NeuRMS app in Lagos… recently : ETOP UKUTT

Nigeria’s Population is its Greatest Asset, Says NPC Victor Ogunje inAdoEkiti

The Federal Commissioner representing Ekiti State in the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr. Ayodeji Ajayi, has declared that the Nigeria’s population advantage would continue to be its greatest asset

if positively harnessed for national development.

Ajayi said this necessitated why the NPC was desirous of conducting a reliable and acceptable population and housing census in 2023, for proper planning and development at all levels of government.

The NPC boss spoke, yesterday, in Ado Ekiti, at a two-day State Compendium of localities workshop organised by the commission to present the final list of localities for the 2023 population and housing census.

The workshop was attended by local government chairmen, LG staff, traditional rulers, representatives of towns, among

others.

Addressing the participants, the NPC commissioner said the commission was resolute to rewrite the history positively and bequeath onto the nation a population census that can drive national planning and development effectively.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the commission is irrevocably committed to positively rewrite

history of censuses and deliver to this great nation accurate, reliable and acceptable census that will be purposefully relevant in the drive towards sustainable national development.

“Preparations for the census are on course and the NPC is confident that the prospect for accurate, reliable and acceptable census appears brighter than ever.

“Without equivocation, our population remains our greatest asset if properly harnessed in order to make life worth living for our people”, Ajayi insisted.

He described the compendium of localities as an indispensable tool for the conduct of accurate, reliable and acceptable population and housing census for our dear nation.

KuniTyessi inAbuja

SDGN), Oluga who led other female parliamentarians said despite the advocacy and attempt by women groups to increase women participation in politics, not much progress seems to have been made, while noting that out of 1,101 candidates contesting for 109 seats at the House of Representatives, only 92 women are contesting.

In the briefing themed “Women’s Political Participation

and Inclusion and 2023 General Elections,” Oluga pointed out that patriarchy, stigmatisation, low level of education, meeting schedules, financing and lack of economical empowerment, political violence and cultural as well as religious barriers are the bottlenecks that have continued to hold women down.

Encouraging women to vote for women in the forthcoming

general elections, Oluga advised women to shun and quit the “pull her down syndrome,” noting that women if elected into positions of leadership and authority, will curb tye menace of terrorism, insecurity and poverty.

She said that states such as Kano, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara have no single female candidate for the presidential and National Assembly elections come 2023.

Navy Beecroft Rescues 10 Crew Members from Capsized Fishing Trawler Women in Parliament Decry Low Female’s Participation in Politics

RebeccaEjifoma

The Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, yesterday rescued 10 crew members from a fishing trawler christened OLOKUN XII after it capsized within the Lagos channel.

The trawler was being towed by its sister trawler OLOKUN IV when the vessel collided with a merchant vessel MSC CORUNA, leading to its capsize.

As noted in a media statement signed by the Commander, Command Information Office Western Naval Command, Edward Yeibo the NNS BEECROFT patrol

team was on routine patrol which led to the prompt rescue of 10 crew members from the trawler. The rescued crew members were handed over to the officials of the company, Barnaly Fishing Company Limited.

While commiserating with the fishing company on the incident, the Commander Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, Commodore Malami Haruna , urged sea-farers to navigate with caution and due consideration to the international regulation for prevention of collision when transiting within the nation’s maritime domain.

Aregbesola Promises Improved Passport Issuance Process

Kate Ejisu

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said the ministry was working with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) under the leadership of acting Comptroller General Isah Jere, to reform the passport process so as to deliver improved services to all. This is just as he disclosed that the NIS has produced 1.5 million passports this year.

The office of the minister quoted Aregbesola as saying this in a statement on ministry’s Twitter handle yesterday. According to

the statement, the minister was reacting to reports which said that NIS had directed that passport front offices be opened in hotels or banks.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been drawn to news publications with the above subject matter, where an unnamed individual was said to have represented the minister and made comments that are not in consonance with the policy drive of the ministry, which supervises the NIS.”

NANTA Showcases Nigeria’s Tourism Potential in UK

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) is showcasing Nigeria’s tourism potentials at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) taking place in London, United Kingdom (U K).

President of NANTA, Susan Akporiaye, who leads the Nigerian tourism team, has promised to sustain the collaboration with the private sector which she maintained would add value to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria.

According to Akporiaye,

NANTA participation at the WTM has the support of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in marketing Nigeria to the outside world.

She said: “Otunba Segun Runsewe remains our strategic and strong pillar, but for our own NAFEST coinciding with WTM dates, he would have led this campaign. All the same, NCAC gave NANTA support and cultural tourism marketing tools to sell Nigeria.”

The Women in Parliament led by its committee chairperson, Hon. Taiwo Oluga, have decried the low participation of women in politics as well as interest for appointive positions.

At a briefing yesterday in conjunction with the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU

Two Kano Comedians to be Flogged for Defaming Ganduje Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano A Kano State Magistrate Court yesterday ordered 20 lashes each to be administered on two Kano based comedians.

The affected victims were, Mubarak Isa Muhammad and Nazifi Muhammad Bala for defaming the character of Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on their Tiktok

accounts.

Magistrate Aminu Muhammad Gabari, in his ruling also ordered the entertainment duo to sweep and wash the toilets on the premises of the Magistrates Court located at No-man’s-land area of Kano for 30 days.

He further directed that 20 lashes each are to be administered in the public,

and also sweeping and washing toilets of Justice Aloma Mukhtar Court Complex at No-man’sland.

The trial Magistrate Gabari, consequently ordered the convicts to pay a fine of N10,000 each for defaming the character governor of Kano State.

He also ordered them to pay another fine of N10,000 each for inciting public disturbance.

Senior Magistrate Gabari similarly administered noncustodial terms against the convicts, and ordered the convicts to produce a video on social media to tender an apology to Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The convicts had pleaded guilty on two count charges of defamation and inciting public disturbance.

Illegal Possession of Firearms: Ex-NISA President, Jolapamo, Faces Arraignment Wale Igbintade The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed December 2, 2022, for the arraignment of the Founding President of the Nigerian Ship-owners Association (NISA), Mr. Isaac Jolapamo, over alleged illegal possession of firearms.

Jolapamo is to be arraigned before Justice Yelim Bogoro (Mrs.) on a 3-count charge

bordering on alleged unlawful possession of firearms.

Previous attempts to arraign the shipping magnate were stalled due to his absence in court.

The last attempt that was made to arraign him in court was stalled due to alleged ailment.

When the matter came up on Friday, Police Prosecutor, Mr. Anthony Iyeye, informed

the court that the matter was for arraignment and for the defendant to take his plea.

However, Jolapamo’s Counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), told the court that the defendant has been hospitalised, and could not be in court to take his plea.

Fanala also presented a medical report before the court.

But, the prosecutor insisted that the defendant would be brought to court, and that he

was not aware of his ailment.

Consequently, Justice Bogoro stood down the matter for five minutes to enable the prosecutor confirm if the defendant would be brought to court.

Following consultations with the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), the prosecutor informed the court that the IPO confirmed to him that the defendant was not with him, and would not be present in court.

Roles of Editors, Security Agencies in 2023 Elections Headline Conference in Owerri All is now set for the 18th All Nigeria Editors Conference, starting on Thursday with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo expected to declare the conference open.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno(rtd) former Minister of Information and Culture, Chief Nnia John Nwodo, and Chairman, the Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, will lead the discussions at the three-day conference holding in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The conference is being supported by the Imo State government and some corporate organisations, including Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), United Bank for

Africa (UBA), Glo, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Air Peace and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC).

Others are: Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

In a statement issued yesterday by the President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, lyobosa Uwugiaren,

the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), said that the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, will be the Guest of Honour, while a former Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the President of Nigeria, Dr. Reuben Abati, will deliver the keynote address, with the theme: ‘’2023: Political Landscape, Credible Elections And The Role of Editors.’’

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OMOLOLU-MULELE GYNECOLOGY LECTURE…

L-R: Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. David Adewale Oke; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development Services, University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa; Donor Representative, Dr. Bolaji Akerele; Chairman of the occasion/Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo; Guest Speaker/ Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive, University of Benin, Prof. Friday Okonofua, at the 4th Annual Lecture of Abimbola Aina Omololu-Mulele Endowment in Obstetrics and Gynecology, held in Lagos… recently

CSOs Reject FG’s Removal of Sex Education from School Curriculum Sunday Ehigiator

A group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have rejected and expressed disappointment over directives by the Minister for Education, Adamu Adamu, to the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to remove sex education from the Nigerian educational curriculum.

They made this expression known yesterday, through a jointly signed communique by the 51 CSOs including, the African Girls Empowerment Network, African Network of Adolescents and Young Persons (ANAYD), Alliances

for Africa (AFA), Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative (ACDI) and Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARHF) among others.

The CSOs described the development as very unwelcoming, saying it erodes the 20 years of progress made by the ministry of education and other state and non-state actors to provide wholesome education that meets the needs of learners at different levels.

According to the statement, “It appears the minister has not been provided appropriate information and advisory by relevant officials about Nigeria’s Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) curriculum, the journey

towards having this curriculum, and the impact for adolescents, and young people.

“The FLHE curriculum was approved by the same National Council on Education in 2002 because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the constant rising incidents among adolescents and

young people.

“It became imperative to adopt strategies that will centre this vulnerable group at the heart of prevention and response, one such strategy was the adaptation into the school curriculum.

“In its definition, the FLHE curriculum ‘is a planned process

of education that fosters the acquisition of factual information, formation of positive attitudes, beliefs and values as well as development of skills to cope with the biological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual aspects of human living.”

They noted that the

curriculum was aimed at providing information and skills necessary for young people to make rational decisions about their bodies, as well as information that can affect and change their behaviours positively and prevent the spread of HIV.

Bandits Kill Five Villagers in Niger Community Laleye Dipo in Minna No fewer than five villagers are said to have been killed by gunmen in Chibane village in the Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred at about 2.00pm when the gunmen numbering over 100 stormed the village.

According to a report from the area, the bandits who rode on motorcycles came into the community through Zagzaga in Kaduna state and blocked the bridge before beginning to shoot sporadically .

The villagers were said to have ran for their dear lives with many sustaining gunshot injuries.

According to the report,

the gunmen sacked a Fulani settlement in the area and rustled several herds of cattle. It was gathered that before soldiers drafted to the area could arrive the bandits had escaped into Kaduna state with the rustled cattle and other agricultural produce.

An unofficial source said some of those injured were brought into

the Minna General Hospital for treatment yesterday evening.

The State Commissioner for Internal Security Mr. Emmanuel Umar, when contacted, confirmed the story.

Umar said: “Yes there was an attack there today (yesterday) we sent our security forces there we are still expecting a report from them.”

The community has accused the security personnel attached to Tantita Security Services for extra-judicially killing the three young men over an alleged involvement in illegal bunkering and oil theft on the order of the Coordinator of the security company, ‘General’ Gowon Abenzi.

According to the Community, the accused NSCDC personnel, numbering six and attached to Tantita Security Services

who are handling the Bayelsa State section of the anti-crude oil theft contract awarded to Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, allegedly shot dead the three youths on October 28, 2022, on the purported order of the Coordinator of the company in Ekeremor Constituency 1, Abenzi.

The Paramount Ruler of the community, HRH Benedict Thompson; the Chairman of

Community Development Commi-ttee (CDC), Anthony March, and the Secretary of the CDC, Teacher Fundudiegha, told journalists in Yenagoa that despite the peace initiative taken by the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the security company, Joshua Machiver, to calm frayed nerves, the community insisted that the six NSCDC personnel involved in the extra-judicial killing of the youths must face criminal charges.

2023: Gombe Elders Endorse NNPP Guber Candidate Bayelsa Community Insists on Prosecuting Six for Extra-judicial Killing (APC) administration whom Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Some Tula community elders of Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State have endorsed the candidature of the governorship flag bearer of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki.

The elders led by a former Secretary of the Local Government, Mr. Lazarus Lori (Turakin Tula); Hon. J.U Labebe (Sardaunan DK Wange), and Elke Tasha (Sarkin Dajin Tula) who’s also the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), made the endorsement when they paid a solidarity visit to the governorship candidate.

They said the decision to back the NNPP candidate is because he is the best alternative to the All Progressives Congress’

they alleged have failed to redeem its campaign pledges.

According to them, Mailantarki as a one-time member of the federal House Representatives is fit to rule the state come 2023.

“Honourable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki is a man of integrity and has been tested and trusted in the past when he served as a member of the National Assembly. That is why we are here today to express our support to him as the next governor because we believe he is a better alternative to the APC and PDP,” the elders said.

Responding, the governorship candidate appreciated the community elders for the support and promised that if elected, he would run an all inclusive and community friendly government.

Officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have nabbed two cable vandals in different parts of Lagos State.

The suspects, Mr. Akpan Fortune aged 28 and Mr. Stanley Umebuane aged 2,4 were arrested in Ikeja and Ikoyi on Sunday, November 6, this year.

Fortune was arrested in the morning on Acme Crescent, Agidingbi area of Ikeja after accessing and vandalising telecommunication and generator cables in a substation in the area.

Umebuane, on the other hand,

Elders and leadership of the Adiegbe community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have insisted on the prosecution of the Coordinator of Tantita Security Services and six personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their alleged involvement in the killing of three youths of the community.

Security: Govt Urged to Clear Bushes of Major Roads

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

A former Governorship Aspirant of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Mr. Dotun Babayemi, has called on federal, state and local governments in the country to consider designating a minimum of one kilometer setback to clear encroaching bushes on was caught in the act by an RRS Nigerian roads team on routine patrol on Sunday Babayemi contended that this night at Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, digging up electricity cables with a shovel.

According to the State Police CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Spokesman, SP Benjamin Limited, a joint venture of CFAO Hundeyin, the police recovered and Yamaha Motor Corporation a shovel and various types of Japan, has launched a campaign vandalised cables from the called the Road Music Challenge. suspects.

The challenge aims to encourage The Commander of Rapid talented Nigerian youths and foster Response Squads (RRS), CSP creativity, culture, and diversity.

Olayinka Egbeyemi, has Participants are required to record transferred the suspects to the a video using a specific afrobeat State Criminal Investigation developed for Yamaha, and create Department, Panti for further lyrics using the proposed phrases investigation and prosecution. by the brand. Video entries are to

Police Nab Cable Vandals in Lagos Rebecca Ejifoma

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

would curtail the activities of bandits, kidnappers and other related criminals who use the cover of encroaching bushes on both sides of the roads to perpetrate crimes and as escape routes.

In a release by his Media Office in Osogbo, Osun State’s capital, the PDP stalwart pointed out that creating the setbacks whereby bushes and other things obstructing views on every sides of the roads are

cleared, would stem criminal activities currently assailing the nation.

“This is because security agents, motorists, passers-by and other road users will have better views on every side of the roads, especially the escape routes and hideouts of the bandits, kidnappers, ritualists, armed robbers and even rapists.

“One is cocksure that if our government at all levels can take to this by factoring it into their

security programmes as one of the antidotes to our security concerns, then we would have gone a long way in demystifying to some extent, those behind the criminal activities on our roads,” Babayemi noted.

He reasoned that “creating a better view on all sides of our roads, of about a kilometer stretch on both sides across the country, will no doubt, enhance the security of lives and property of our people.”

CFAO Yamaha Launches Platform to Celebrate Nigerian Talents be submitted before the 21st of November, 2022, using the selected hashtags #roadmusicchallengeng and #cfaoyamaha.

CFAO Yamaha would reward the winners of the challenge with prizes worth N5 million The overall winner would go home with the grand prize of N1 million and a 3.5kva Yamaha generator.

Commenting, Managing Director, CFAO Yamaha Motor

Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Sylvia Omlenyi, said: “The Road Music Challenge has recorded tremendous success in Ivory Coast, Cameron and Senegal and I am very excited that we are launching the challenge in Nigeria. Entertainment is one of Nigeria’s biggest exports and as most will agree, there is a wide array of budding talents in Nigeria.

I am confident that Nigeria will take this challenge to a

new level of creativity. For CFAO Yamaha, this is more than just a music contest; it is a platform to promote our local talents, who are frequently unable to breakthrough due to a lack of funding.”

According to her, to participate in the Road Music Challenge, the details are on CFAO Yamaha’s social media pages; on Instagram (@ cfaoyamaha) and on Facebook (@cfaoyamahamotornigerialtd).

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Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

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Super Eagles Land in San Jose ahead of Clash with Costa Rica I N T E R N AT I O N A L F R I E N D LY The delegation of Super Eagles B arrived San Jose, capital of Costa Rica on Sunday eveningahead of Thursday’s international friendly between both countries.

The contingent led by NFF Executive Committee Member, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi touched down at Juan Santamaria International Airport aboard Copa Airlines via Panama City at 10:30pmLocal time (5:30am on Monday in Nigeria).

A playing squad of 18 players, two coaches and other team officials travelled with team for the friendly game lined for the Super Eagles by

Nigeria Football Federation.

The Nigerian delegation were received by an official of the Costa Rica Football Federation.

The Super Eagles are lodged at Real Intercontinental Hotel, San Jose as they prepare for their first training session ahead of the big match, to which they were invited as part of major activities to send forth the Los Ticosto the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar.

The game, scheduled for the National Stadium in San Jose, will kick off at 8pmCosta Rica time on Wednesday, 9th November(which is 3am, 10th Novemberin Nigeria).

NPFL 2023: IMC to Meet 20 Clubs in Abuja Super Eagles B on arrival at San Jose airport in Costa Rica...Monday evening

Liverpool in Real Madrid Trouble Again!

PSG, Bayern Munich highpoint of last 16 draw Europa: Barca draw Man Utd Femi Solaja with agency report Liverpool have drawn holders Real Madrid in the last 16 of the ChampionsLeague in a repeat of last season's final.

Fourteen-time winners Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 inlast year's final in Paris thanks to a goal from Vinicius Junior in the 59th minute.

Premier League champions Manchester City face German side RB Leipzig, while Tottenham play Italian giants AC Milan.

Chelsea also have German opposition in Borussia Dortmund.

Elsewhere, French champions Paris St-Germain have drawn Bayern Munich.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE The last-16 first legs will take place on 14-15 and 21-22 February, with the second legs on 7-8 and 14-15 March.

It is the fourth time in six seasons that six-time winners Liverpool have taken on Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Two of those occasions have been in finals, with Real Madrid winning both in 2017-18 and 2021-22.

The Spanish champions also knocked Liverpool out in the quarter-finals in the 2020-21 season.

Jurgen Klopp's side have been in three of the last five European finals, including last season's in Paris, and

only AC Milan and Real Madrid have won the competition more times.

The organisation of the Reds' final defeat in Paris was later described as "an abject failure" by European football's ruling body UEFA after fans were robbed and tear-gassed outside the Stade de France and kick-off was delayed by 36 minutes.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have been drawn against Barcelona in the Europa League knockout round play-offs.

The stage of the competition features eight runners-up from their Europa League groups, which includes United, playing the eight teams who were third in their Champions League group.

Nigeria Remain Important Market for NBA, Says NBA Chief Kunle Adewale NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Tatum has disclosed that Nigeria has been an important market for NBA for decades and will remain so.

Speaking at a media round table hosted by NBA Africa at the Wheatbaker in Lagos, Tatum said: “While we just opened an office here this year, Nigeria has been an important market for the NBA for decades, dating back to when Hall of Famers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson hosted basketball clinics here in 1971.

"You cannot overstate the incredible basketball talent from Nigeria and its impact on the league. From Hakeem Olajuwon, who was selected with the number one pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, to six Nigerian players on NBA rosters this season, to two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is of course of Nigerian descent," Tatum noted.

"We opened an office in Lagos because we believe there is enormous opportunity ahead for the NBA in Nigeria and because the continued growth of basketball here can be a catalyst for the rest of the continent.

We want to help accelerate the growth of basketball and help develop an environment in which, the Nigerian youth has a predictable pathway to learn the game and maximize their potential," he said.

For NBAAfrica VP and Country

Head for Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu: “When we’re saying that we are investing in Nigeria, that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re investing from a human capacity standpoint, making sure that our fans get to experience the NB.

Former United manager Jose Mourinho's Roma side will play FC Salzburg, while Juventus face Nantes.

The first legs are on 16 February, with the second legs on 23 February.

The winners go into the last-16, which includes Arsenal after they topped their Europa League group.

FIXTURES UCL Leipzig C’Brugge Liverpool Milan E’Frankfurt Dortmund Inter PSG

v Man City v Benfica v R’ Madrid v Tottenham v Napoli v Chelsea v FC Porto v Bayern Munich

EUROPA Barcelona Juventus Sporting Shakhtar Ajax Leverkusen Sevilla Salzburg

v Man Utd v Nantes v Midtjylland v Rennes v U’Berlin v Monaco v PSV v Roma

Maiden formal meeting of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Interim Management Committee (IMC) and the 20 participating clubs has been scheduled for Monday, November 14 in Abuja.

In a notice of the meeting sent to the clubs and signed by Davidson Owumi the Head of Operations (HoO), the clubs were informed that the meeting will hold from 6pm at the Sandralia Hotel.

Though no agenda was listed in the notice of invitation, it is believed the IMC will seek to meet one-on-one with the Clubs who are the first line stakeholders in NPFL. Other possible talking points include the ongoing Club Licensing for the 2022/23 season, development ideas of the IMC and contributions from the clubs as well as a date for the commencement of the season, the format and calendar.

Abuja Club Owner Dedicates Grassroots Tourney to Celebrate Otedola President of Water FC, Abuja, Nureni Makanjuola, has decided to celebrate billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, as he celebrates his 58th birthday with a football competition.

Already, a grassroots football competition tagged: Ote4Wealth Football Tournament, has been scheduled to hold between November 15 and 20, 2002 in Abuja.

Speaking in Abuja at the weekend, Makanjuola stressed that for what Chief Otedola has done for sports and ex international footballers, the celebrant deserves a tournament to honour him on his special day.

“Chief Femi Otedola is someone I have very high regards for. I honestly I love him for how he lives a quiet and humble life and how he helps the less privileged in Nigeria and Africa including past Nigerian footballers,” observed the

football club owner.

Makanjuola insisted that it was honour for him as an individual to have the opportunity to celebrate the oil billionaire.

“I really consider this a rare privilege to celebrate Chief Otedola in my own little way. He’s a great man and with people like him, there’s a future for Nigerian youths.

“We should always appreciate people who are selfless and want to assist the nation. Look at all he does with his business for Nigerians who need help from the health sector to the other aspects of the economy? My family and I are wishing him a happy birthday,” concludes the man fondly called MK by his fans.

The Ote4Wealth Football tournament will have grassroots teams from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja participating when it kicks off.

Fifth Chukker Wins FirstBank Emir of Zazzau African Patrons Cup Fifth Chukker on Sunday emerged winner of FirstBank of Nigeria sponsored Emir of Zazzau African Patrons Cup. The Kaduna-based polo team overwhelmed Malcomines to cart away the prestigious FirstBank of Nigeria sponsored Emir of Zazzau African Patrons Cup. It was a perfect home victory the Manuel Crespo-led team in the final played at the highbrow Fifth Chukker Polo and Country Resort in Kaduna on Sunday.

To emerge tops in the highly explosive six-chukka encounter, Fifth Chukker polo scored 10 goals against Malcomines’ 8 goals.

Crespo, a 6-goal polo player, Fecundo Ketemer

another 6-goaler, home-based Abdulrahaman Mohammed +3 and of one of Ghana’s greatest polo player Kwame Isa +3, the team dominated Malcomines on their way to winning the top honour.

Malcomines on the other hands didn’t give up without a fight.

They fought back in the third Chukka putting the seven-time winners on the edge.

Urged on by their teeming supporters, Murtala Laushi +1 team leader, highly experienced Hamisu Buba +4, Argentine Satiago Marambio +6 and Alejo Aramburu +6, Malcomines fought strongly, keeping polo fans which included the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Nuhu Bamali and

other top government officials on the edges of their seats throughout the 6-chukka game.

But the home team and former winners of the competition, Fifth Chukker proved too hard for Malcomines they overcome, losing 8-10.

In the other match also decided at the weekend, FirstBank team lost to Coronation by the same 8-10 margin to win the Late Gen. Hassan Katsina Cup. The African Patrons debuted in 2004 as African Masters, but was re-launched in 2008 as African Patrons Cup. In 2011, African Patrons Cup was offered as a platform to support Breast Cancer Awareness Movement in Northern Nigeria.

Hub Head North, FirstBank, Sadiq Suleiman (left), presenting trophy to Manuel Crespo, Captain of Fifth Chukker Polo team, winners of FirstBank of Nigeria sponsored Emir of Zazzau African Patrons Cup in Kaduna... on Sunday

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TUESDAY, ΀˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

Aliou Cisse (standing) has promised Senegal will leave a mark at the Qatar 2022 World Cup

Cisse: Senegal Will Leave Our Mark at this World Cup Aliou Cisse is about to experience his third FIFA World Cup and his second in a row as Senegal head coach. Four years on from Russia 2018, the Lions of Teranga head into the latest edition of the tournament as reigning African champions, having won their first ever CAF Africa Cup of Nations title in 2021. Cisse seemed to be brimming with confidence, on the back of this remarkable achievement, when he spoke to FIFA+about his aims, aspirations and the way he is preparing his players for their upcoming World Cup campaign.

Senegal will face Ecuador, Qatar and the Netherlands in Group A. Excerpts....

F

our years on from Russia 2018, Senegal are about to play in another World Cup, but this time as reigning African champions. Does that put more pressure on you and your team?

Pressure is something you have to deal with as an elite level sportsperson. We have worked tirelessly to achieve what we have. We’ve taken the time we needed to progress. This group has gained a lot of experience over the past four years, we have matured, and we’re now better prepared. I wouldn’t say that we feel greater pressure, but we are certainly aware of it.

You have now been Senegal head coach for seven years. What are the key factors that have kept you in the job for so long?

The time seems to have flown by. Personally, it feels like I only started yesterday. We’ve set ourselves some very clear objectives and come on slowly but surely, although we’ve often felt (the fans’ and the nations’) impatience. We’ve remained focused on the most important things.

We’re getting closer to achieving our goal with every competition, and the most recent has given us every reason to believe that. Hard work always pays off.

What memories do you have of your campaign at Russia 2018?

It was very difficult to digest what happened at the last World Cup, because we were knocked out for (accumulating) more (yellow) cards (than Japan during the group stage). But that was four years ago, and we’ve gained a lot of experience

since. There has also been the Africa Cup of Nations (triumph) since then and we are still one of the best teams in Africa. Our players are more experienced now. They play for big clubs and have come out on top in some very important games over the past four years. The World Cup is all about experience. I think the Senegalese national team is currently gaining a lot of experience. And, as I’ve said, it’s about taking it one game at a time. Our first objective is to get out of this group. After that, we’ll be in a knockout tournament, and we have enough experience to leave our mark on this competition.

In preparation for Qatar 2022, you have beaten Bolivia 2-0 and drawn 1-1 with IR Iran. What is your assessment of these two games?

I thought we looked pretty comfortable in both games. Against Bolivia in particular, we were really in control. The game against Iran gave me more to think about. We had so many chances that we failed to convert, so we must continue to work on our efficiency in front of goal; we need to be more ruthless.

If I were to give a mini-assessment, I would say that the group is happy to be together.

These players have known each other for a good while now. I’m very happy with their level of application and their mentality. It’s this love (for each other and playing for their country), this hard work and their professional side that have allowed us to succeed. It’s through this solidarity that we will be able to win (games). There’s no secret. We need to continue working hard

and make sure everyone is on the same page.

capable of achieving.

With just a few weeks to go until Senegal start their World Cup campaign, have you already selected the 26 players who you will be taking with you to Qatar?

I couldn’t sleep very well before, but now, I definitely won’t be able to get any more sleep.

I really liked the mentality we showed in our two last warm-up games. I really appreciated how hard they worked and the willingness they showed. Effectively, it gives me more options.

It also means more competition (for places).

To start with, we will try to make sure everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet; a balanced group who get on well. It’s also important to give Senegal the greatest chance of success at the World Cup. I’m delighted to say that I’ve got plenty of options to choose from. I will sit down with all my coaching staff to decide who we will be taking to the World Cup. But in truth, all the players I’ve used deserve to be there. I will make some players happy, and others unhappy, but it’s a decision (that has to be made).

Many people who watch African football believe your team is the best placed out of all the African nations who will be at Qatar.

Believe me, all five (African nations) have got a great chance at this World Cup. If all the specialists and those who know their football think we’re the best placed out of all the African teams who have qualified, then we’re delighted to hear that, but that won’t change us. We’re not getting carried away. It’s up to us to fully prepare ourselves and to do so wisely. But our aim is still the same: to take it a game at a time. We were knocked out of the last World Cup after just three games. The aim is to get out of this group. And, once we get out of this group, we know that it will be a knockout tournament. We will leave our mark. People are already looking ahead to the last 16, the quarter-finals, but we will be taking it a game at a time.

The World Cup is all about experience. I don’t think we will make the same mistakes as in 2018. We can’t afford to repeat them. But often, when I talk about experience, people think I’m only referring to experience on the pitch or sporting experience, but I’m also referring to the experience of preparing for the World Cup. There are a lot of things that need to be done in preparation. Whether it’s the people who work at the federation, the players themselves, or the Senegalese government, everyone is working together to make sure we go into this World Cup in the best possible shape.

Last but not least, President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, said he believes one of the African nations is capable of winning this upcoming World Cup. What are your thoughts on that?

What Samuel Eto’o has said is the dream of an entire continent. He certainly wants us to go as far as possible, or, at the very least, he doesn’t want to put a limit on what we’re

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

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MISSILE

Osuntokun to FG

“We are looking at our country unravelling in real time in slow motion before our eyes.

The tragedy is that all this is predictable and preventable. With the long acquired reputation of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency for hectoring us that black is white where the records of his government are concerned, only a fool will attribute credence to what they are telling Nigerians…” --- Former Political Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Akin Osuntokun, regretting that Nigeria is bleeding under President Buhari.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Nigeria: Who is in Charge?

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week ago, President Muhammadu Buhari travelled out of the country on a two-week medical vacation. He is expected back in the country next week. As has been the pattern since he assumed office in 2015, and he travelled on medical vacation eight months later, Nigerians again this time around raised the same concerns about why our leaders are always travelling abroad for medical reasons – they have failed to develop the medical infrastructure at home. In a country that used to be a medical tourism destination for persons as far away as the Middle East in the 70s, it is true that what we now have in the health sector in Nigeria is shameful, indeed the entire social sector is disgraceful. Despite the fact that we have some of the best brains and most talented people in the world, our leaders have to travel abroad for even simple procedures such as tooth ache, because they have failed to provide an enabling environment in Nigeria for excellence.

One senior citizen once told me that an expert who was described as the best in a particular medical field was recommended to him a few years ago, but he would have to go to South Africa to meet the particular specialist. He packed his bags, hopped on to a plane, and headed out. When he got to the South African hospital, the specialist that he was directed to see was a Nigerian. He protested that he did not travel all the way to come and see a Nigerian doctor. He had to be reminded that if he wanted the best consultant for his medical condition, he had better submit himself to the Nigerian! This is not an apocryphal tale: it is a fitting description of what has happened to Nigeria in virtually all fields of human endeavour be it sports or prostitution.

Hence, when the issue of the President travelling again for medical reasons came up, I thought we had been on this matter for too long. One, his handlers have told us that he had been consulting doctors in the United Kingdom long before he became Nigerian President, and that it would be unfair to expect him to change his doctors for populist reasons. His health has indeed been an issue, prompting many Nigerians to insist that given the experience of Presidential illness under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and now under President Muhammadu Buhari, presidential aspirants must be made to submit their certificates of medical fitness before aspiring to the highest office in the land. Since 2015, President Buhari has spent over 212 days abroad for medical reasons. In 2017 alone, he first travelled for 50 days, and then went back a second time for 104 days. In-between, the President has travelled for various periods of six, 15 or 12 days, and longer, with his trips having to be extended on more than one occasion.

I have had cause to argue that Presidents are human beings too. They can fall sick like other human beings. They and their families would also want them alive, and may seek medical care where they hope they can get the best. Besides, the President is 79. When Nigerians vote for an elderly man as President, they should very well expect that certain things come with old age, even if young men can also fall sick. The thing about democracy is that how a people choose their leaders has its direct consequences. To the delight of his family and supporters, however, President Buhari has managed to find the strength to remain on his feet and do two terms in office. In another 100 days, his successor would most likely have been known and he’d begin to pack out of the Presidential Villa. A new President would be sworn in, and he and his family would pack their own bags into the many rooms in the Villa. Nigerians would be left with the pains and gains of the Buhari administration. I hope we have learnt our lessons.

But there would be one lingering matter, to cut a long story short: how the Buhari administration handled the matter of presidential absence. We have seen in this regard, under this administration routine

President Muhammadu Buhari violations of the Constitutional order so frequently, we simply got used to it. It is an aberration that should not continue because it amounts to utter disregard for the rule of law. Every President takes an oath of office to defend the rule of law and the Constitution. The office of the Attorney General of the Federation exists to guide the government of the day about the constitutional order. When a government breaks the law, no matter how small, it is unacceptable from a principled stand.

As Presidential candidates are now busy on the campaign trail, one question that they must be asked is whether or not in the event of absence from office, they would be willing to hand over power to their Vice President as required by law.

Here is what the law says: Section 145(1): “Whenever the President is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he SHALL transmit a written declaration to the president of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to that effect, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, the Vice President shall perform the functions of the President as Acting President”.

This is a very clear, unambiguous and direct constitutional provision. Lawyers understand that when the words used in the Constitution are clear and unambiguous, they must be interpreted in a literal sense. The use of the word “shall” by the framers of the Constitution also means that the command of the law is obligatory, not discretionary.

Whereas Section 5 of the Constitution vests Executive powers in the President, the same constitution in parts defines circumstances under which he cannot exercise absolute powers or attempt to rewrite the law, and one of those regards has to do with when he is absent from office, or incapacitated or he dies. Indeed, Section 145 (2), goes further on the matter of Presidential absence thus: “In the event that the President is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in subsection (1) of this section within 21 days, the National Assembly shall, by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote of each House of the National Assembly, mandate the Vice President to perform the functions of the office of the President as Acting President until the President transmits a letter to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives that he is now available to resume his functions as President”.

There is nowhere in the extant law that the Constitution says that the President of Nigeria can leave town as he wishes without informing the National Assembly formally and without transferring authority to the Vice President. This created a constitutional crisis in 2010 during the Yar’Adua Presidency when in the face of the terminal illness of President Yar’Adua, and eventual death, the country was left in limbo. The country was dragged through needless tension and controversy as a result. The case has been different under President Buhari because each time he chooses to go AWOL on Nigerians, he still returns, and we all carry on nevertheless, but this does not make his violation of the law excusable. It must be further remembered that President Buhari’s legal advisers have consistently thrown him under the bus by giving him wrong legal advice with regard to either court rulings or the Constitution.

The President of Nigeria cannot be above the laws of the land, the same laws that he is sworn to protect under the seventh schedule of the 1999 Constitution.

It is on record that the President has only transmitted power formally to the Vice President twice since 2015 – in 2016 when he proceeded on a 10-day vacation, and once in 2018. Since then, the President simply travels when he wants to and returns as he wishes on either official or private trips. Where the trip is official such as attendance at international conferences, state or working visits, the absence is understandable, but when the President travels for medical reasons for a much longer period, and he is not on duty, he is duty bound to hand over officially to his Deputy.

The argument that the President of Nigeria can go away for two or three weeks for private reasons, and govern Nigeria from a remote location amounts to bending the law on its head. He is not allowed to go away without leave or to embark on a frolic of his own. He cannot transfer power by word of mouth either. He must put it in writing. He must be accountable to the Nigerian people.

Nigerians are even more rightly concerned because the present National Assembly lacks the spine or the moral courage to invoke Section 145(2) of the Constitution. This is a National Assembly that is an extension of the Presidential Villa and whose leaders openly confess their loyalty to the Executive arm of government. Some of our lawmakers even go about claiming that they are “adopted sons and daughters” of President Buhari. Is that why they must always look the other way? In more decent societies, their constituencies will demand concrete proof of their adoption! Or “abduction?” And even that does not justify the cherry-picking approach to the rule of law under this administration, which ironically has a lot to show in the area of law reforms and significant legislation, but when it comes to the constitutional order, problems abound.

One reason that has been given is that Vice President Osinbajo cannot be trusted because of the way he “behaved” when in 2018, the President respected the Constitution and formally handed over power to him. It is alleged that he started behaving as if the President would not return. His handlers began to project him as a better alternative.

They were all over the media “selling” Osinbajo as a healthier, more energetic, more people-friendly alternative. It was said that the Vice President even had the temerity to sack the Director General of the Department of State Security, a man from Katsina, the President’s own kinsman. To worsen matters, a group of Yoruba leaders visited Osinbajo in the Presidential Villa in Buhari’s absence! That was the last time his principal formally sent any letter to the National Assembly whenever he was away.

There are certain forces in the corridors of power who have never forgiven Professor Osinbajo for openly showing enthusiasm or ambition.

This was confirmed when he tried to run for the Presidency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022. They led him on and

stopped him. What we are dealing with is one of the major omissions in the Nigerian Constitution which does not assign any concrete roles to Deputies either at the state or Federal level. A Deputy Governor or a Vice President is considered “a spare tyre”, to be kept to a side of the vehicle and can only be called to service whenever there is an emergency. When such emergencies occur, it must not be because the spare tyre, jumped out of its place on its own volition, to cause havoc.

Vice President Osinbajo is useful when he is called upon to attend meetings and events where he is required to sound brilliant and articulate, but when it comes to the exercise of power and authority, he is closely monitored because he is not expected to do so. This is a “spare-tyre” dilemma, and it is why Nigerians must take a second look at the exercise of Executive powers. In a new Constitution, specific roles must be assigned to Deputies. The talk that “it is a joint ticket” is a foreign concept that does not work here. A Nigerian Governor or President is technically an absolute monarch.

We mut correct that.

Many Nigerians now insist on the full disclosure of the medical condition of the President, but really, it is not only in Nigeria that Presidents go extra length to hide their illnesses. Woodrow Wilson didn’t want the American public. to know that he caught the Spanish flu in 1919. Franklin D. Roosevelt was in a wheelchair and also used crutches but he downplayed his physical condition.

JF Kennedy was sickly as a child and even as President, he struggled with a cocktail of ailments including chronic back pain. In 1893, President Grover Cleveland disappeared for four days to have surgery secretly on a yacht at sea to remove a tumour. This story is told in Matthew Algeo’s The President is a Sick Man. The whole idea is to project the President as a strong, healthy leader and to prevent the President’s state of health from becoming a political liability. The only difference however is that today, US Presidents do not have to travel to the sea for treatment or go into hiding as President Cleveland did in 1893. In more contemporary times, US Presidents, with the notable exception of President Donald J. Trump have shown greater confidence in disclosing their health condition. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan transferred power to Vice President George Bush for eight hours while he underwent surgery. In 2002 and 2007, President George W. Bush also transferred authority to VP Dick Cheney while he was admitted for a colonoscopy procedure. In November 2021, incumbent President Joe Biden transferred power to VP Kamala Harris when he was admitted into hospital for the same procedure, making her the first woman in American history to act as President even if only for 85 hours! The relevant law in the United States is Section 3 of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment which is in pari materia with Section 145 (1) (2) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.

In Nigeria, it is usually a tug-of-war to get the President or a Governor to hand over power and authority during a period of incapacity or absence. Our problems here include ego, lack of trust, ethnicity, religion, superstition and the menace of the informal power structures in the corridors of power whose promoters tie their destiny like an umbilical cord to the survival of their patron-principal in office. Such characters would do anything and everything to subvert the rule of law. We must decry this. The next President of Nigeria must not at any time go AWOL on Nigerians out of fear, insecurity or both on the grounds of medical vacation abroad. A law-abiding President needs strong legal advisers who are committed to the supremacy of the law, not politicians who bend the law according to the changing vagaries of the weather. The consequence of wanton Presidential violations of the Constitution is impeachment, but who will dare challenge the monarch? Certainly, not a stomach-driven National Assembly.

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